Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- Foreign Minister Dipu Moni has called on all nations to rise above petty and perceived short-term national interests and chart a pragmatic collective course of action to combat disastrous impact of climate change.
“We must rise above petty and perceived short-term national interests and chart a pragmatic collective course of action for the benefit of all,” she said at the Climate Vulnerable Forum in Male on Tuesday.
Moni added: “We believe time for action has come. We have been running from meetings to meetings, seminars to symposiums, for many years now. Unfortunately, this series of meetings has so far eluded us of a just and equitable solution.”
The foreign minister regretted lack of commitment by the developed world to mobilize resources and technology to mitigate the impacts of climate change and to adapt to it, and lack of commitment by the industrialized nations on deep emission cuts.
“We must address the challenges together and in a holistic manner. The international community has a clear and binding obligation to meet our adaptation-to-climate-change costs as well as to transfer green technology without any precondition in order for us to move to green development,” the foreign minister said in her speech made available to the media by the foreign ministry.
Eleven nations -- most at risk from global warming – are participating in the two-day conference. Other countries represented at the conference include Nepal, Bhutan, Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania.
She said Bangladesh has been facing erratic pattern of floods, cyclones, and droughts. These climate-induced disasters have offset the country’s development programs with budgeted resources diverted to humanitarian support and disaster management.
In the face of these challenges, the minister said the Bangladesh government has adopted, at the national level, a National Climate Change Strategy and a National Plan of Action aiming at ensuring sustainable and green development, and adaptation to climate change.
Referring to the COP-15 at Copenhagen, she said it is now critical for the world leaders, with their wisdom and courage, to chalk out the right course of action and draw a roadmap for the post-Kyoto regime.
“The Copenhagen Conference must agree on an adaptation fund with adequate resources at its disposal. Adaptation and technology transfer funding must come in the form of grants, not loans, and more importantly this financing must be distinct from and in addition to the already committed ODA,” the foreign minister noted.
BBN/SS/SI/AD-11November09-2:26 am (BST)