Civil society organizations (CSOs) in Bangladesh have said that recent CoP-26 climate summit failed to address the adaptation programmes and loss and damage issues of the most vulnerable countries like Bangladesh. The CSOs have asked the government to develop a country-owned long-term financial strategies to support climate change actions in future. Their demand came at a virtual seminar titled “CoP 26 outcome and our future perspective as MVCs” held on Monday. Also read: MVCs' CSOs demand end to carbon emission instead of 'net-zero' target The seminar was jointly organized by COAST foundation, An Organization for Socio-Economic Development (AOSED), BIPNET-CCBD (Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples’ Network on Climate Change), Centre for Participatory Research & Development (CPRD) Coastal Development Partnership (CDP), Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network (CLEAN) and Equity and Justice Working Group, Bangladesh (EquityBD). Barrister Shamim Haider Patowary MP participated as special guest in the seminar moderated by Mostafa Kamal Akand of EquityBD. Among others Dr. Ainun Nishat-Emeritus Professor (BRAC University) and Lead climate negotiator of BD, Dr. Mostafa Saroar-Professor Khulna University of Engineering & Technology, Md. Sharif Jamil-General Secretary of BAPA (Bangladesh Paribesh Anolon), Quamrul Islam Chowdhury, climate change negotiator and Ex. Secretary of National Press Club, Mrinal Kanti Tripura of BIPNET-CCBD, Md. Jahangir Hossen Masum of CDP, Shamim Arefin of AoSED-Khulna, Emranul Hoque-climate change advocate, .Kawser Rahaman of Janakhanta spoke at the event. Syed Aminul Hoque from EquityBD presented the key note paper. Syed Aminul Hoque said that, the CoP 26 outcome was expected to produce a concrete decision and actions by world leaders to reduce global Green House gas emissions and appropriate financing to support adaptation actions and to face recurrent loss & damages. This did not happen due to opposition from some developed countries, especially the USA and their allies, he said. Also read: CSOs demand inclusive process from govt to Strengthen Country Interest at CoP 26 He also criticised the UK position for its so called “Net Zero Emission” target by 2050 which in fact support the big emitters to continue their GHGs emission. Barrister Shamim Haider said that the CoP26 outcome is somehow disappointed as the decisions aggregately has dismantled the Common but Differentiate Responsibilities principle of Paris Agreement, denied the loss & damage with displacement issues and moving towards a business model instead survival of MVCs and save the earth from global warming. He appreciated the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s voice as very realistic. He, however, pointed out less participation of BD govt. delegations in many CoP plenaries where main decisions came. Dr. Mostafa Saroar said that the proposed “Net Zero emission” target is a false and elusive solution and the UK pushed the poor and developing countries to adopt this target. Quamrul Islam Chowdhury criticised the developed countries initiative of “New collective and quantified goal on finance (NCQG)” where there are no representatives of MVCs to finalize the process Sharif Jamil said that government’s mind-set is confused as there are inconsistencies between govt. coal using and alternative energy strategies. Mr. Shamim said that in CoP 26, developed countries have failed to deliver on the annual payment of US$100 billion and instead deferred it to 2023. This is is completely unacceptable for MVCs, he said.

Speakers at a seminar here have called for making a legal framework for engagement of the civil society in implementation of development projects. The seminar was participated by lawmakers, civil society organizations and experts who observed that government’s top-down planning strategy hinders civil society engagement. They said sustainable development would hardly be achieved through existing development planning and implementation paradigm. The seminar was jointly organized by a network of COAST  Foundation, Center for Sustainable Rural Livelihood (CSRL) in  a city hotel on Wednesday. Read: Development projects must not harm environment: Hasina Asheq Ullah Rafiq MP Cox's Bazar-2  spoke as the chief guest. It was moderated by Rezaul  Karim Chowdhury from COAST and Ziaul Hoque Mukta of CSRL, where Sayeda Rubina Akter, MP, Women  Seat 28, and Gloria Jharna Sarker, MP, Women Seat 30 participated as special guests. Dr. Rezaul Houqe Management Director –BCCT, (Bangladesh Climate Change Trust],  Md. Shamsuddoha, Chief Executive, CPRD, Md. Masum , CDP, Md. Bazlur Rahaman, BNNRC, Mr. Nikhil Chandra Vadra, Coastal Protection Movement, Aminur Rasul Babul also spoke. The key note was presented by Syed Aminul Hoque of COAST. Aminul said that the government has been giving thousands of development projects every year but those are unable to ensue effective monitoring by Internal Monitoring & Evaluation Division. Read: Maintain standards in development project works: LGRD Minister He proposed two major changes on this issue.  A legal framework through parliamentary process to make obligatory for all ministries and development authorities to engage civil society while they develop and implement their project, Asheq Ullah Rafiq MP said that the civil society is the fourth eye of any country that aware government on any irregularities, ensure accountability and transparency. We should strengthen this stake with proper law and regulatory framework, he said. Dr. Rezaul Hoque opined that there are lot of challenges to be face in integrating civil society with project implementation monitoring. But this initiative is very good and prospect in future we have to work more on this issue, he added.

BDCSO Process, a process forum of around 700 local CSOs/NGOs, will organize its virtual annual conference on October 6-8.

A total of 21 Bangladeshi Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), who work on migration and development, expressed deep concern over harassment of journalists and migrants’ by Malaysian government following a documentary broadcast by Al Jazeera on mistreatment of migrant workers in Malaysia.

Civil society leaders at a virtual press conference on Sunday called for ‘inclusive coordination’ on the part of the government at all levels, to promote broader social mobilization and engagement of local NGO leaders in view of the Disaster Management Act 2012 and the Standing Order on Disaster (SOD).