PM Sheikh Hasina for new climate deal to implement SDGs

"Climate change has put Bangladesh's all precious development gains at risk. Therefore, we must ensure that the development agenda and the new climate deal would protect and harness the present and the future of humanity," Sheikh Hasina said in a statement at the UN Summit for adoption of the Post-2015 Development Agenda at UN headquarters here on Sunday.

Heads of state and government of Brazil, Venezuela, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, European Union, Russia, Qatar, the Maldives, Singapore and Saudi Arabia also made statements in the session chaired by Gambia.

Sheikh Hasina said adoption of SDG Agenda-2030 is a great joy. "Bangladesh as part of its national preparation has aligned its Seventh Five-Year Plan with the new global agenda."

Extending her thanks to all concerned who contributed to the adoption of the people-oriented Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030, the Prime Minister said robust global cooperation is significant to deliver on the universal development agenda.

Mentioning her presence with the world leaders during the time of adopting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the Prime Minister said over the past 15 years Bangladesh has mobilized people and resources to realize the commitments.

Bangladesh's success in achieving the MDG targets including those related to poverty eradication, reduction of child mortality, communicable diseases, she said, adding that the realization of the MDGs has helped Bangladesh to step in the path of making Bangladesh a middle-income country.

Sheikh Hasina said the key to the success of Bangladesh's achieving MDGs was her government's political commitment and conducive policy environment. Bangladesh has mobilized its national resources and enhanced its capabilities and empowered the people to achieve the cherished goal.

The Prime Minister said some of Bangladesh's solutions and experiences are now part of the global solutions. "Now, we all must pledge for full and effective realization of Agenda-2030 and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda," she added.

Sheikh Hasina said the governments have to recognize the diverse national realities, capacities and levels of development to make sure implementation of the SDGs. Respecting national policies and priorities would be equally important. Besides we will have to address all forms of inequalities across the SDG agenda, she added.

To realize the SDGs, the Prime Minister said, the international community must deliver on the means of implementation for each goal. Bangladesh and other developing countries need support on finance, technology, capacity building and debt to implement the SDGs. "As well as we must ensure that global trading and financial regime and institutions are fair and just," she said.

Sheikh Hasina hoped that everybody would show the same ambition, focus and commitment to materialize a deal in Paris as they showed it in the case of adopting the SDGs.