Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Sunday called for the immediate utilization of the promised climate finance for developing nations as well as early operationalization of the fund for loss and damage.
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He made the call when a delegation from the Cross-Party Group (CPG) on Bangladesh at the Scottish Parliament led by its Convenor and Shadow Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development of Scotland Foysol Choudhury MSP (Labour Party) met the Foreign Minister at the latter’s office.
The other members of the delegation included, among others, Deputy Convenor of CPG Miles Briggs MSP (Conservative Party), and Member of CPG Ms. Evelyn Tweed MSP (Scottish National Party).
The Foreign Minister appreciated the CPG's special role to promote Bangladesh’s political, economic and cultural relations with Scotland.
He recalled Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s last visit to the Scottish Parliament in November 2021 while attending the COP 26 in Glasgow and her talk at the Scottish Parliament.
The CPG delegation highly commended Bangladesh’s socio-economic development over the last decade, particularly expressed their appreciation in completing mega infrastructure projects like the Padma Multipurpose Bridge and Dhaka Metro Rail.
The CPG delegation underscored the importance of cooperation in climate actions, particularly as a follow-up to COP 26 held in 2021 in Glasgow.
The Foreign Minister informed the CPG delegation that the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has always been the voice for climate justice of all the climate vulnerable countries, especially members of Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF).
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He narrated Bangladesh government’s mitigation and adaptation measures, including establishment of a large housing project in Cox’s Bazar for climate migrants as well as free housing with land ownership to the homeless and landless vulnerable people all over Bangladesh under Prime Minister’s ‘Ashrayan Project’.
The Foreign Minister appreciated the CPG delegation for their willingness to visit Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar to understand the magnitude of challenges faced by Bangladesh in hosting 1.2 million Rohingyas, and explained how the prolonged presence of the forcibly displaced Rohingyas is creating burden on our economy and environment in Cox’s Bazar.
Momen underscored the importance of the Rohingyas’ safe and sustainable return to their homeland Myanmar. He also encouraged the CPG delegation to play more active role in Scottish Parliament to mobilize support for the ICJ case on the Rohingyas.
The Foreign Minister invited Scottish investment on renewable energy, green transition including electric vehicles, shipbuilding, marine fisheries and aquaculture and tourism.
Both sides also shared views on enhancing welfare of RMG workers through ‘fair price’ by the brands.
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The Foreign Minister also briefed the delegation on the government’s commitment to assisting the Election Commission to organize the upcoming parliamentary elections in a free and fair environment.
