Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN) – As part of the Rio+20 Summit, Bangladesh and Vietnam jointly organized a side event on Tuesday in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to discuss how to ensure green development in the backdrop of rapidly changing climate.
Speakers noted similarities in green growth strategies undertaken by Bangladesh and Vietnam governments, a central bank press statement said on Wednesday.
Vietnam has a Perspective Plan for green growth while the Perspective Plan of Bangladesh government also addresses the issue of green growth.
The session was co-chaired by Dr. Bui Cach Tuyen, Vice Minister, Ministry of Environment, Vietnam and Saber Hossain Chowdhury, MP, Member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee of Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF), Bangladesh.
Dr. Abu Saleh Mustafa Kamal, Deputy Secretary, MoEF and Dr. Pham Hoong Mai, Director General of Department of Science, Environment and Technology made presentations from Bangladesh and Vietnam sides respectively.
Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Atiur Rahman has stressed on how the financial sector of Bangladesh is contributing towards green economic development through initiating various green banking activities.
Dr. Rahman said Bangladesh has increased her human development index with lower level of per capita material consumption compared to many other developing economies implying greener economic growth.
Other speakers included Dr. Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad, Chairman, PKSF, Dr. Professor Ainun Nishat, VC, BRAC University and Mr. Mesbah ul Alam, Secretary, MoEF.
Dr. Kholiquzzaman Ahmad said there should be a high powered committee between Bangladesh and Vietnam to exchange existing knowledge on green growth so that both countries can benefit.
Saber Chowdhury said Bangladesh was on high moral ground as it opted for low carbon development despite no obligations as such. He further said that there is a need for greening of services in addition to greening of production.
BBN/SSR/AD-20June12-1:45 pm (BST)
