For development of our country, we need energy: HPM Sheikh Hasina

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the government wants to develop the country and for that reason, it needs more energy.

"We want the development of our country. That's why we need energy," she said when Special US Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry called on her at her the Gono Bhaban.

PM's press secretary Ihsanul Karim later briefed reporters.

He said the prime minister mentioned that as a source of clean energy, Bangladesh put emphasis on producing more energy from hydroelectric power plants.

"We've only one hydroelectric power generation plant. Now we're in discussion with Nepal, Bhutan and India to set up hydroelectric plants through bilateral or trilateral initiatives on regional basis," she said.

She also said there are around 5.8 million solar connections in the country.

"Agriculture sector also needs solar energy for irrigation," she said.

Sheikh Hasina deeply appreciated the decision of the US to return to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

"That'll create new momentum in climate change diplomacy," she said.

She said Bangladesh has started its programmes as per its plan to fight against the adverse impact of climate change by creating funds with its own resources.

"We aren't an emitter, our emission is very much negligible but we along with other climate-vulnerable countries will be the victims," she said.

She also mentioned that Bangladesh has planted more than 20 million trees on the occasion of the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The PM said through the government initiative, 11.5 million trees have been planted while another 10 million trees have been planted under private initiatives.

She thanked US President Joe Biden for inviting her to attend the "Leaders Summit on Climate" to be held virtually on April 22 and 23.

John Kerry thanked the prime minister for accepting the invitation.

He said the US put emphasis on using renewable energy for reducing the risk of pollution. In this connection, he mentioned that US companies are keen to invest in Bangladesh building partnership with others.

He said in development finance, the concessionary money will be invested for making the environment pollution free and preserve the environment.

He mentioned that previously the Obama Administration gave $1 billion to the Green Climate Fund, which was supposed to be a $100 billion fund through the participation of all developed countries.

"We'll give another $2 billion in the fund," he said.

He put emphasis on hydroelectricity and solar power for reducing the risk of pollution while using the energy.

Regarding the Covid-19 vaccine, Kerry said in the mid-summer the vaccine in the US will be surplus and they would give vaccines to Bangladesh if Bangladesh wants it.