Speaker calls for climate-resilient, energy-secure Bangladesh, South Asia.
Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikrom, today called for concerted efforts to build a climate-resilient, energy-secure and sustainable Bangladesh and South Asia.
"As lawmakers, our primary responsibilities are to enact effective laws, strengthen parliamentary oversight and ensure that the voices of affected people are reflected in budgetaryallocations," he said.
The Speaker made the remarks while addressing a high-level policy dialogue titled "Shaping the Climate and Energy Agenda in Bangladesh: A Parliamentarians' Dialogue" at a hotel in the capital today.
The dialogue was organised under the South Asian Regional Parliamentary Forum to determine goals and strategies for climate resilience and sustainable energy transition in Bangladesh. Hafiz Uddin said Bangladesh ranks among the countries most vulnerable to climate change, while its people have demonstrated remarkable resilience in disaster management and local adaptation, said a press release of parliament secretariat.
"The climate crisis has no geographical boundaries," he said, calling for securing international climate finance and obtaining technological assistance from developed countries as a moral obligation.
He urged lawmakers to raise Bangladesh's concerns at international forums to secure compensation for losses suffered by Bangladesh and other vulnerable countries due to sea-level rise and climate change.
State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shaikh Faridul Islam said the government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, has been working on energy transition.
He said the government has set a target of generating 10,000 megawatts of solar power by 2030. The state minister also said the government plans to plant 25 crore trees within the next four years, while three crore trees have already been planted this year with government funding.
He said Bangladesh alone cannot be held responsible for environmental pollution, as developed and industrialised countries also bear a significant share of the responsibility. Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Dr Md Saimum Parvez took part in the event as the keynote speaker.
Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the ministry of Foreign Affairs Barrister Jahrat Adib Chowdhury and MP Fazle Huda Babul delivered the welcome addresses. Lawmakers and local and foreign experts invited to the dialogue exchanged views on climate resilience and sustainable energy transition.
Representatives of the South Asian Regional Parliamentary Forum and senior officials concerned were also present.
