HPM Sheikh Hasina for global efforts to address climate-induced migration

"Unless, we address this challenge of climate-induced migrant issue appropriately, we would never be able to attain the objectives of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)," she said in her statement at the high-level segments of the 22nd Conference of the Parties (COP-22) here on Tuesday night.

The three-day high-level segments of COP-22 of the United Nation Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) are being held in Morocco's former imperial city of Marrakech.

Heads of state and government from 80 countries including Bangladesh and senior ministers from 115 countries are participating in the COP-22 also known as the "global climate summit".

The Bangladesh premier also urged all to join hands to consolidate the global partnership to fight perilous threats of climate change.

Sheikh Hasina said Marrakech climate conference bears a special significance as the historic agreement signed last year in Paris "creating a solid ground for a meaningful cooperation in combating climate change impacts", is expected to be enforced this year.

"Now, this is the time to move forward to implement decisions into actions," she said, adding that the Paris Agreement successfully created a solid ground for a meaningful cooperation in combating climate change.

Pointing out that Bangladesh is one of the first countries that signed and ratified the Paris Agreement, the prime minister said lives and livelihoods of millions of people would continue to be at risk unless "we deliver to our commitments on climate change issues."

"We must be prepared to share equitable burden to fulfill our promises of making the world a safer and better place for our future generation," she said.

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh is also the first country to set up "Climate Change Trust Fund" of US$ 400 million from its own resources. "Bangladesh also achieved success in disaster management despite its coastal areas are highly vulnerable to climate-related calamities, such as floods and cyclones," she added.

The prime minister highlighted Bangladesh's disaster management programmes, including early warning system, construction of cyclone shelters and river weeds cultivation, saying these measures have significantly reduced loss of lives and properties during disasters.

Laying importance on water security, Sheikh Hasina, also a member of the UN High Level Panel on Water, reiterated her government's commitments to the action plan endorsed by the Panel in New York last September.

"We must ensure safe drinking water and sanitation for all through effective water governance," she said.

The premier stressed the need for creating a "global fund" to support research, innovation and technology transfer to achieve the sustainable development goals on water.

The Bangladesh prime minister, who is now on a three-day tour to attend the high-level segments of the COP-22, joined the inaugural session of the conference along with other heads of state and government on Tuesday morning.

Earlier, King of Morocco Mohammed VI, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon,UNFCC Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa and COP22 President Salaheddine Mezouar received the heads of state and government including the Bangladesh premier at Bab lghli, the conference venue of COP-22.

Sheikh Hasina arrived here on Monday afternoon on a three-day official visit to attend the COP-22.

The Bangladesh premier is leading a 58-member delegation that included Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, Environment and Forests Minister Anwar Hossain Manju, Water Resources Minister Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud and Deputy Minister of Environment and Forests Abdullah Al Islam Jacob.

Photo: Yeasin Kabir Joy