Foreign-Affairs
UNDP, H&M collaborate to drive climate action in Bangladesh's apparel industry
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Bangladesh and H&M signed a deal on Wednesday to work on climate action and help Bangladesh to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
Leyla Erthur, Head of Sustainability at H&M, and Van Nguyan, Deputy Resident Representative at UNDP Bangladesh, signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on behalf of their respective organisations at UNDP office here.
Ziaur Rahman, Regional Country Manager at H&M, was also present along with other representatives from UNDP and H&M at the signing ceremony.
With its extensive knowledge and expertise, UNDP is dedicated to supporting countries in translating their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) targets into tangible actions.
Recognising the crucial role of the fashion industry in national and global greenhouse gas emissions, UNDP aims to empower all relevant stakeholders in the apparel industry of Bangladesh to drive climate action through a collaborative, whole-of-society approach.
Read: UNDP to work with content creators to promote SDGs
Expressing her excitement about the partnership, Van Nguyan, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh, stated, "I believe our partnership with H&M will set an example for all relevant actors in the apparel industry of Bangladesh to drive climate action by adopting a whole-of-society engagement approach."
This alliance between UNDP and H&M will play a pivotal role in initiating policy dialogues focused on reducing CO2 emissions, developing climate-responsive power policies, establishing Power Purchase Agreements (PPA), and identifying climate-smart investment opportunities. Furthermore, the collaboration will provide crucial support for promoting the circularity of post-industrial textile waste and implementing measures to conserve, reuse, and recycle water within the industry.
Read:UNDP to raise awareness on plastic pollution by introducing jute-polymer bags
By joining hands, UNDP and H&M are demonstrating their shared commitment to fostering sustainable practices in Bangladesh's apparel industry and contributing to the country's broader climate objectives.
Read more:Jaya Ahsan starts 2nd tenure as UNDP goodwill ambassador
Denmark committed to support Bangladesh’s aspirations for climate-oriented economic growth: Danish Minister
Danish Minister for Development Cooperation and Global Climate Policy Dan Jannik Jørgensen on Wednesday signed an agreement in Bagerhat to extend the Local Government Initiative on Climate Change (LoGIC) project for two years from June 2023 to June 2025.
Danish Ambassador to Bangladesh Winnie Estrup Petersen and UNDP Resident Representative Stefan Liller were present.
With a funding support of 40m Danish Kroner (USD 5.6m approximately) from the Danish government, the extension phase of LoGIC will be implemented in two districts of the Chattogram Hill Tracts (CHT) – namely Rangamati and Bandarban.
Also Read: Bangladesh, Denmark launch action plan to strengthen partnership on green transition
The purpose is to strengthen communities’ resilience to the impact of climate change through locally-led adaptation strategies.
The dignitaries from Denmark, along with representatives of UNDP and UNCDF, visited Mongla in Bagerhat to observe and understand the impact of climate change and how both agencies are building climate resilience through innovative and locally-led solutions.
Minister Jannik Jørgensen, during his visit to climate-affected areas in Mongla took note of the adaptive measures taken by the affected communities to strengthen their resilience against climate change.
Also Read: Bangladesh, Denmark joint action plan for 2023-2028 to be launched soon
He said Denmark values the strong and longstanding bilateral relation with Bangladesh.
"Recognising that Bangladesh is at the forefront of the climate crisis, Denmark is committed to supporting Bangladesh’s aspirations for climate-oriented economic growth and green transition in the years of graduation from the group of LDCs. Denmark is also one of the few development partners that have engaged long term in the CHT, most recently with a focus on climate resilience of communities.” Dan Jannik Jørgensen added.
Also Read: Bangladesh, Denmark sign Tk 474 crore framework agreement to implement dev programme
Winnie Estrup Petersen, Danish Ambassador to Bangladesh, said, “Given the significant climate vulnerability of the region, Denmark will continue to support UNDP and UNCDF in the CHT through LoGIC. This model strengthens the national fiscal transfer systems for the channelling of climate adaptation funding to local governments and ensures institutional and financial sustainability.”
Bangladesh is often cited as one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations, and it is the poor who are disproportionately affected, said Stefan Liller, Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh.
Also Read: Danish Minister Dan Jørgensen in Dhaka
"As such, we must focus on increasing communities' resilience to the impact of climate change. To this end, we here at UNDP, Bangladesh continue to work on mainstreaming climate change into local level planning and financing processes by blending scientific knowledge with local expertise to identify climate risks and support effective adaptation measures,” Stefan Liller mentioned.
In 2016, the government of Bangladesh (GoB), the European Union (EU), and the Government of Sweden, together with UNDP and UNCDF, jointly designed the ‘Local Government Initiative on Climate Change’ (LoGIC) project to develop a mechanism to deliver climate finance to the most vulnerable households and local government institutions for building resilience and promoting local action on climate change adaptation at scale.
China says PM Hasina's remarks against sanctions reflect a ‘large part of int'l community's mind’
China has said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's remarks against US sanctions were "not just the strong position of the Bangladeshi people, but also the mind of a large part of the international community, especially the developing world."
Read: Bangladesh, Denmark launch action plan to strengthen partnership on green transition
"We have noted the recent remarks by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Indeed, while turning a blind eye to its own racial discrimination, gun violence and drug proliferation problems, a certain country has long been interfering in the internal affairs of Bangladesh and many other developing countries under the pretext of democracy and human rights," said Spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry Wang Wenbin, commenting on sanctions on Bangladesh.
Read: Record 108.4 mln people forcibly displaced by end of 2022: UNHCR
He said Bangladesh and China have been traditionally friendly neighbours.
"We firmly support Bangladesh in safeguarding its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, upholding independent domestic and foreign policies, and pursuing a development path that suits its national realities," said the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson.
Read: Japan provides critical funding to WFP’s lifesaving food assistance for Rohingyas
He said they stand ready to work together with Bangladesh and other countries to oppose all forms of hegemony and power politics, uphold the UN-centred international system, the international order underpinned by international law, and the basic norms governing international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and build a community with a shared future for mankind.
Record 108.4 mln people forcibly displaced by end of 2022: UNHCR
The number of people displaced by war, persecution, violence, and human rights abuses stood at a record 108.4 million by the end of 2022, up 19.1 million on the previous year - which was a record increase, said UN refugee agency (UNHCR) on Wednesday.
This was revealed in the agency’s flagship annual report, Global Trends in Forced Displacement 2022.
Read: UNHCR to look after Rohingya families waiting for repatriation too
More people than ever were uprooted from their homes last year due to war, other turmoil, and climate change. This increased the necessity for swift, coordinated action to address the worldwide issue.
It remains the world’s low and middle-income countries, not wealthy states that host most displaced people, said the report.
The 46 least developed nations, account for less than 1.3 per cent of global gross domestic product, yet they hosted more than 20 per cent of all refugees, UNHCR said.
Funding for displacement and to support hosts, remained inadequate for 2022 and the same applies so far this year, the agency added.
Read: UNHCR halts food aid to 23 Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar
“These figures show us that some people are far too quick to rush to conflict, and way too slow to find solutions. The consequence is devastation, displacement, and anguish for each of the millions of people forcibly uprooted from their homes,” High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said.
Of the global total, 35.3 million were refugees, people who crossed an international border to find safety, while a greater share, 58 per cent, representing 62.5 million people – were internally displaced due to conflict and violence.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was the top driver of displacement in 2022. The number of refugees soared from 27,300 at the end of 2021, to 5.7 million at the end of 2022 – representing the fastest outflow of refugees anywhere since World War Two.
Estimates for the number of refugees from Afghanistan were sharply higher by the year’s end, due to revised estimates of Afghans hosted in Iran, many having arrived in previous years.
“People around the world continue to show extraordinary hospitality for refugees as they extend protection and help to those in need,” Grandi added, “but much more international support and more equitable responsibility sharing is required, especially with those countries that are hosting most of the world’s displaced.
Read: UNHCR ‘not involved’ in discussions on Bangladesh-Myanmar pilot project on Rohingya repatriation
At the end of 2022, an estimated 4.4 million people worldwide were stateless or of undetermined nationality, a full two per cent more than at the end of 2021.
The Global Trends report is being launched six months ahead of the second Global Refugee Forum, a major gathering in Geneva bringing together a range of actors to find new solutions for people forced to flee and their hosts, and to emphasize the importance of global solidarity in confronting the problem.
Tap into potential for growth: Momen to IORA
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Tuesday urged the Member States of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) to push for tapping into the tremendous amount of untapped and unexplored potential for growth.
He also requested them to complement each other by more intense interaction, ideas-sharing and enhanced cooperation.
Also read: Even after over 2 decades, IORA market not fully explored by member states: Momen
Foreign Minister Abdul Momen made the call while announcing the opening of the 13th biannual CSO through a video message.
The two-day Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Committee of Senior Officials’ (CSO) meeting began in Sylhet on Tuesday.
Bangladesh, the current Chair of IORA, is hosting the meeting.
Also read: US follows up on commitment to maritime projects with IORA countries
Seventy five delegates from 23 IORA Member States and IORA Secretariat are attending the CSO, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
They will discuss various issues relating to six priority areas and two focus areas of IORA- maritime safety and security; trade and investment facilitation; fisheries management; disaster risk management; tourism and cultural exchanges; academic, science and technology cooperation; blue economy and women’s economic empowerment.
Other important issues including institutional arrangement and broadening engagement will also be discussed.
Secretary, Maritime Affairs Unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Rear Admiral (retd) Md. Khurshed Alam delivered the opening remarks and chaired the meeting.
Also read: IORA plays pivotal role, says Australian assistant foreign minister
IORA Secretary General Dr. Salman Al Farisi; Vice-Chair Sudharshan Seneviratne, Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Bangladesh; IORA past chair Ahmed Albadawi, acting Deputy Director of Economic and Trade Affairs Department, UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs also spoke at the opening session.
Secretary Alam highlighted the great vision of our Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for transforming Bangladesh into a prosperous nation.
He mentioned that under the able and apt leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh’s strive to become an industrial, digital and prosperous country by 2041 through harmonizing social and economic development has been applauded across the world.
Secretary Alam appreciated IORA Secretary General and his colleagues in the Secretariat for their admirable efforts and thanked all the Member States for their contributions to strengthening the IORA platform.
He urged the IORA Member States to share ideas, exchange visions and put together their efforts to maintain the momentum IORA has seen in recent years and to take this platform to a greater height.
Secretary Alam assured Bangladesh’s commitment to making wholehearted efforts to strengthen maritime cooperation for a peaceful, stable, inclusive and prosperous Indian Ocean region.
Norway keen to invest in Bangladesh’s renewable energy sector
Norway has expressed interest to invest in Bangladesh’s renewable energy sector as a priority country under Norway’s Climate Investment Fund.
Norwegian State Secretary of Foreign Affairs Erling Rimestad expressed this interest to State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam during a meeting held in Oslo on the sidelines of the Oslo Forum 2023 on Tuesday.
The two sides also discussed various bilateral and regional issues of mutual interests, including trade and investment cooperation on ship-recycling and Blue Economy as well as on the Rohingya crisis and Climate Change.
Also Read: Bangladesh, Denmark launch action plan to strengthen partnership on green transition
During the meeting, the State Minister thanked Norway for its development cooperation with Bangladesh over the last 50 years and NORFUND’s investment, particularly in our financial sector, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He also appreciated Norway’s humanitarian assistance to Rohingyas, temporarily sheltered in Bangladesh and its political support towards their safe, sustainable and voluntary repatriation.
Also read: Norway announces $6.5 million support for Rohingya refugees
The Norwegian State Secretary underscored the importance of women empowerment and gender equality and appreciated Bangladesh’s rapid socio-economic development.
Both sides also discussed possible cooperation on harnessing marine resources and deep-sea fishing in the Bay of Bengal.
Japan provides critical funding to WFP’s lifesaving food assistance for Rohingyas
The government of Japan has provided a new contribution to WFP’s life-saving food assistance for the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.
“Following the US$ 1 million emergency food assistance in March of this year, we are pleased to announce our decision to provide US$ 4.4 million in life-saving food assistance to the Rohingya through the WFP,” said Iwama Kiminori, Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh.
He hoped that this grant will help alleviate the severe food crisis in the camps and Japan will continue to work towards a durable settlement, including repatriation to Myanmar.
Also read: UN asked to engage more effectively with Myanmar to commence Rohingya repatriation
The ambassador said Japan will cooperate with international organizations, including the WFP, to improve the lives of the refugees and the host communities.
Without livelihood opportunities, the Rohingya rely entirely on humanitarian assistance to meet their basic needs, said the World Food Programme (WFP) on Tuesday.
Due to a lack of funding, in March, WFP’s food assistance for the entire Rohingya population in the Cox’s Bazar camps had to be cut from US$12 to $10, then in June, to $8 per person, per month.
Also read: Bangladesh seeks stronger support from int'l community for Rohingya repatriation
With less food to get by, families are left with grim choices to make ends meet, making them even more vulnerable to violence, exploitation and human trafficking.
Already, four in 10 families were not consuming enough food and 12 percent of children were acutely malnourished. This was before the ration cut.
While Bangladesh missed the eye of Cyclone Mocha, all camps were affected, with 40,000 shelters – made of bamboo and tarpaulin – damaged or destroyed. There is an urgent need to replenish food stocks as monsoon season sets in.
Also read: Bangladesh must suspend pilot project to return Rohingyas to Myanmar: UN expert
“At a time when we have been forced to cut food rations for the Rohingya families, this contribution from Japan could not have been more timely,” said Dom Scalpelli, WFP Resident Representative and Country Director.
“We hope more donors will step up and keep the plight of the Rohingya high on their aid agenda. We are appealing for US$ 48 million to restore the full ration. Anything less than US$ 12 has dire consequences not only on nutrition for women and children, but also protection, safety and security for everyone in the camps.”
Also read: Japan provides $500,000 to Cyclone-affected Rohingyas, host communities through IOM
Letters from 6 MEPs and 6 US congressmen: Netizens point out curious similarities, including misspelling Bangladesh PM’s name
Weeks after six US congressmen wrote a letter to President Biden containing what minority community leaders denounced as “false projection of the state of minorities in Bangladesh,” another letter has emerged. This one signed by six members of the European Parliament (MEPs) is addressed to High Representative/Vice-President of the European Union (EU) Josep Borrell Fontelles. What surprised several political and diplomatic commentators as well as netizens are the striking similarities between the two letters, including both misspelling the last name of Bangladesh’s Prime Minister.
“Sheikh Hasina Wazad” is how the name of the Prime Minister appears in both letters, as pointed out by several Twitter users – with one writing: “Do these elected reps even check what they sign? Or simply attest texts handed to them by lobbyists?”
Also read: State of Christians in Bangladesh: Archbishop Emeritus Patrick D'Rozario rejects 6 US congressmen’s letter to Biden
Like the previous letter, this one – dated June 12, 2023 – also alleges “abuse” of “ethnic and religious minorities, including the minority Christian population in Bangladesh” by the government.
Several noted minority community leaders have already denounced the claim, calling it an “absolutely false projection” of the state of minorities in Bangladesh.
Referring to the letter by six US congressmen, Archbishop Emeritus Patrick D'Rozario earlier rejected the projection of the state of Bangladesh’s Christian community as being “persecuted” under the current government.
Also read: 6 congressmen’s letter to Biden a ‘false projection’ of the state of Bangladesh’s minorities, community leaders say
Calling such assertions “incorrect”, the former Archbishop of Dhaka insisted that the government has stood by the Christian community in Bangladesh against bigots.
“Under the current government, Christians have received support; it is safe to say that they have stood by us,” said D'Rozario, who, in 2016, became the first Bangladeshi to be formally inducted into the Roman Catholic Church's College of Cardinals, an elite body which advises and elects popes.
The letter by six members of the European Parliament also suggests a “polls-time caretaker government.”
Regarding the caretaker government system, renowned human rights activist and lawyer Sultana Kamal had earlier said, “A caretaker government is not capable of delivering solutions to all the problems.”
Also read: Letter from 6 members of European Parliament reflects views of signatories, Ambassador tells UNB
Referring to her stint with the caretaker system, Sultana Kamal, who resigned from the then caretaker government, rather stressed on the need for an “independent Election Commission” and political will.
The letter signed by the MEPs also refers to Odhikar, which raises further questions, as there were allegations against the rights group of publishing “a distorted report and photoshopped images” on the May 5, 2013 police action on a Hefajat-e Islam rally in Dhaka.
Bangladesh, Denmark launch action plan to strengthen partnership on green transition
Bangladesh and Denmark on Tuesday launched a joint action plan for realizing the"Sustainable and Green Framework Engagement" that was signed in 2022 in order to strengthen the partnership on climate and green transition between the two countries.
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md. Shahab Uddin and Danish Minister for Development Cooperation and Global Climate Policy Dan Jørgensen launched the joint action plan.
With the Joint Action Plan, Bangladesh and Denmark are deepening their partnership towards attaining a more sustainable and green future globally.
Also read: Danish Minister Dan Jørgensen in Dhaka
The focus of the activities of the Action Plan are on Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation, Loss & Damage and Environmental Sustainability, in the framework of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
Bangladesh faces external pressures, requires careful macroeconomic management: World Bank
World Bank Vice President for South Asia, Martin Raiser, has reaffirmed the organization’s continued support to help Bangladesh achieve sustainable and inclusive growth.
“Bangladesh faces continued external pressures, which require careful macroeconomic management, but also a deepening of structural reforms to attract more private investment, boost jobs and strengthen resilience against climate shocks,” said Raiser who concluded his two-day visit to Bangladesh on Tuesday.
He said the World Bank stands ready to redouble its support under the new country strategy and accelerated implementation of its large existing portfolio.
Also read: Bangladesh receives $858 mln World Bank fund for agriculture growth, road safety
Raiser visited Bangladesh as part of his current South Asia tour, according to the global lending body.
He met with the Bangladesh Bank Governor, State Minister for Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources, Senior Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Secretary to Economic Relations Division, and other senior government officials.
They discussed the World Bank’s new country partnership framework for Bangladesh for fiscal years 2023-27 as well as how the World Bank support can be best utilized to help Bangladesh navigate the global uncertainties and increasing climate change impacts.
Also read: Bangladesh, World Bank sign US$ 2.25 billion loan agreement comprising 5 projects
Raiser urged speeding up the pace of implementation of the World Bank-supported projects.
The World Bank and Bangladesh today signed a $191 million financing to strengthen the higher education sector and respond better to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Also read: World Bank approves $1.25bn financing in 3 projects for Bangladesh
The Higher Education Acceleration Transformation Project will support regional and global collaboration, research and innovation in higher education. It will help more women access quality tertiary education.
Sharifa Khan, Secretary, Economic Relations Division, Government of Bangladesh and Abdoulaye Seck, World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan, signed on behalf of Bangladesh and the World Bank, respectively, in presence of Raiser.
Also read: External pressure behind World Bank's withdrawal from Padma Bridge, says PM Hasina urging it to look into future