Global Climate Negotiations: Challenges and Priorities for Bangladesh

Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) organised a seminar titled “Global Climate Negotiations: Challenges and Priorities for Bangladesh”. Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Honourable Adviser, Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, graced the occasion as Chief Guest. Major General Iftekhar Anis, BSP, awc, afwc, psc, PENG, Director General, BIISS, delivered the welcome address. Four presentations were made at the seminar by: Dr. Sufia Khanom, Senior Research Fellow, BIISS; Dr. Fazle Rabbi Sadeque Ahmed, Deputy Managing Director, Palli Karma Sahayak Foundation (PKSF); Professor Sharmind Neelormi, Department of Economics, Jahangirnagar University; and Advocate M. Hafijul Islam Khan, Member, Executive Committee of Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage at UNFCCC. These were followed by an Open Discussion session. Ambassador AFM Gousal Azam Sarker, Chairman, BIISS, chaired and wrapped the session up with some remarks. 

Speakers and participants alike, reflected on Bangladesh’s role as a major voice in global climate diplomacy and bringing the plight of developing countries to light. They stressed that although not a significant contributor to climate change, the country is one of those most at risk from projected impacts. Besides, they provided suggestions what the country would require to prioritise in light of extant, emerging and potential risks, how to address them in more effective manner, conduct climate diplomacy on broader scale through different platforms and continuous engagement. The chief guest, H.E, Syeda Rizawana Hasan, highlighted the importance of regional cooperation in addressing climate challenges; reflecting on her experience at the recent COP-20 Summit at Baku, Azerbaijan, she said unity and collective strength among countries adversely affected by climate change would be far more meaningful than the funds they were being promised. In the discussions, pressing issues like climate finance, loss and damage, climate justice, role of the youth in climate action, setting future targets, etc., received significant attention.

 Senior officials from different ministries, diplomatic missions, media, researchers, academicians and students from various universities, representatives from different think tanks, international organisations, actively participated in the seminar and enriched it by presenting their valuable opinions, comments, suggestions, and observations during the open discussion session.