Ambassador of Bangladesh to Austria and Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN Agencies and other International Organizations in Vienna Muhammad Abdul Muhith has taken over the chairmanship of the Group of Aisa-Pacific States (APG) in Vienna. Read:Ambassador Ito sees 5 challenges ahead to elevate Dhaka-Tokyo ties In the 54-member group, the Chair plays a vital role in coordinating the positions of this unique and diverse group with regard to the UN agencies, conferences and processes based in Vienna, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday. Ambassador Muhith vowed to effectively promote the APG’s collective interests on important issues such as Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), innovative and peaceful use of nuclear technology, climate action, inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID), and to tackle global challenges such as transnational crimes including terrorism, narcotic drugs and corruption as well as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and resilient and green recovery. Read: Peter Haas nominated next US Ambassador to Bangladesh Bangladesh took over the Chairmanship from Afghanistan at a virtual handover ceremony recently which was attended by the Permanent Representatives and other diplomats of the APG member states in Vienna.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday placed a five-point proposal, including the green recovery of climate vulnerable countries with support from the developed nations, as the climate change has brought them to a threshold. “Developed nations should facilitate the green recovery of the CVF-V20 countries. Dedicated support is required for reducing the cost of capital and encouraging private sector participation,” she said while placing her proposals in the first V20 Climate Vulnerable Finance Summit. Sheikh Hasina, also the President of Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF), opened the Summit organised by Finance Ministers of the Vulnerable Twenty (V-20), joining it virtually from her official residence Ganobhaban. “Every country must pursue an ambitious target to curb Greenhouse gas emissions to keep the global temperature-rise below 1.5ºC,” she said.   “Fund flow must be predictable, balanced, innovative and incremental. Development partners and international financial institutions should adopt a user-friendly process of fund allocation and disbursement. There must be synergies among various climate funds,” she said in the third proposal. “Rich nations must help CVF-V20 countries by closing the existing financial gaps in protecting climate-induced disasters. Financial support is needed to introduce smart insurance premium subsidies and capitalization of insurance products for CVF countries,” said Hasina, placing the fourth proposal.   “Finally, every vulnerable country may actively consider adopting a 'climate prosperity plan' like our 'Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan.' I request the international community to provide all-out support to realize our plans,” she said, putting forward the fifth proposal. The Prime Minister said Earth is in a dire state. “We must be sensible in our actions. Let’s work together to build a strong climate resilience world.” Also read: Hasina suggests 6 points for framing post-Covid global recovery plan She urged the finance ministers, development partners, international financial institutions, and multilateral development banks to find innovative financing solutions for climate prosperity. Hasina said the disastrous impacts of climate change mainly caused by GreenHouse Gas emissions are loudly visible around the world. “We must reverse these for our survival and survival of our future generations,” she added.  

Despite a brief dip in global carbon dioxide emissions as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, the planet is still heading for a global temperature rise in excess of 3 degrees Celsius this century, a new United Nations report has revealed. 

Trade ministers and business leaders from across the Commonwealth will gather virtually on November 23 to examine how they can work together to spur a digitally-inclusive and green recovery in the face of devastating economic impacts linked to Covid-19.

Germany and Britain said Monday that efforts to revive the global economy in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic must ensure a 'green recovery' that helps the world tackle climate change.