Bangladesh wants to lead climate-vulnerable countries at COP31: Dr. Saimum Parvez

Speaking to journalists at the Bangladesh Pavilion on Wednesday during the COP31 conference, he said that at the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31), Bangladesh is not only highlighting its own climate crisis but also wants to lead the effort to establish the rights of climate-vulnerable countries worldwide. He stressed the need to focus on grants instead of loans in climate finance, green jobs, a just energy transition, and expanding the global market for environmentally friendly products.

He said that although Bangladesh's contribution to global carbon emissions is very small, the country is facing extensive losses due to the adverse impacts of climate change. Therefore, Bangladesh is strongly raising its demand for increased adaptation funds, mitigation funds and Loss and Damage funds.

Noting that climate finance must be grant-based rather than loan-based, Dr. Saimum Parvez said that it is not justified to impose an excessive debt burden on countries that are not responsible for climate change. Bangladesh is raising the collective demands of vulnerable countries at the international level through the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF), the Least Developed Countries (LDC) group and Bangladesh-Bhutan-Nepal regional cooperation.

Referring to the Prime Minister's participation in COP31 as an important reflection of Bangladesh's environmental and climate commitments, he said that one of Bangladesh's top priorities at this year's conference is ensuring a just energy transition. Alongside the transition from a fossil-fuel-dependent economy to a renewable-energy-based economy, the government wants to protect workers' employment and create new green jobs.

He said the government has undertaken a large program to plant 250 million trees and excavate and re-excavate 20,000 kilometers of canals over the next five years to protect the environment and increase climate resilience. In addition, emphasis is being placed on renewable energy, waste management, reducing methane emissions and developing environmentally friendly industries.

Highlighting Bangladesh's climate adaptation capacity, he said that Bangladesh has achieved significant progress in disaster management through initiatives such as early warning systems for cyclones and floods, active participation of volunteers, salt-tolerant crops and floating agriculture. These experiences can serve as examples for other climate-vulnerable countries around the world.

Referring to the potential of jute and biodegradable products in the global market, he said that during a meeting with Turkey's First Lady, the Bangladesh delegation proposed expanding jute and environmentally friendly alternatives to plastic in international markets; there were positive discussions on the matter and possibilities for future technical cooperation have also been created. In addition, work is progressing on the policy framework for a national carbon market and the establishment of a carbon registry.

Dr. Saimum Parvez further said that Bangladesh wants to establish itself in the global arena not only as a country affected by climate change, but as a climate-resilient, innovation-oriented and promising country. He expressed hope that through the Prime Minister's leadership at COP31 and the active diplomatic efforts of the Bangladesh delegation, Bangladesh will be able to play a stronger role in protecting fair rights in climate finance, grant-based support, green jobs and the collective interests of climate-vulnerable countries.