Sheikh Hasina
D-8 Summit: Hasina for building a better future together
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said it is now more important than ever to work together for building a better future.
“... the world is now passing through a critical period. The Covid-19 pandemic has created havoc on the global economy. It’s now more important than ever to work unitedly for building back better [future],” she said while delivering her closing remarks at the 10th D-8 virtual Summit as the new D-8 Chair.
Bangladesh hosted the summit virtually participated by leaders of Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkey.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivered the opening remarks as the current Chair of D-8 and handed over the D-8 Chairmanship to Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Also read: PM Hasina for harnessing potential of youths
Sheikh Hasina, a founding member of the organisation, has taken over the charge as the D-8 Chair for the next two years for the second time.
Sheikh Hasina said hearing statements and suggestions from the D-8 leaders she felt hopeful and confident that working together, the D-8 can create a better tomorrow for the one billion-plus people in the Member States.
PM Hasina for harnessing potential of youths
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday put emphasis on establishing cooperation in harnessing the power and potential of the youth.
She said it could be done through skill development, utilising the full potential of ICT, creating necessary legal, institutional and infrastructural framework; and improving connectivity to facilitate trade and investment among the D-8 member states.
Also read:Maintain Covid precautions: PM Hasina
“The D-8, which was established 24 years ago, is now poised to deliver its goal of economic development through creating synergies,” she said.
The Prime Minister highlighted the areas of cooperation in her welcome statement while presiding over the 10th D-8 Summit that began in a virtual platform with participation of leaders of Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkey.
At the outset of the summit hosted by Bangladesh, Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivered opening remarks as the current Chair of D-8 and handed over the D-8 Chairmanship to Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The theme of the D-8 Summit is “Partnership for a Transformative World: Harnessing the Power of Youth and Technology” and the Summit will adopt two documents “D-8 Decennial Roadmap 2020-2030” and “Dhaka Declaration 2021”.
Hasina said the power and potential of the youths who have made breakthroughs in business ideas, models, innovations and technologies is very important.
“The youth in our countries can be encouraged to come together through the business initiatives at private and even government to private level. The D-8 Business Forum together with the 1st D-8 Youth Summit has created this rare opportunity,” she said.
The Prime Minister said youths are well conversant with digital technology and have kept Bangladesh’s economy vibrant during the Covid-19 pandemic.
She said the UN has estimated that the global economy is expected to lose nearly 8.5 trillion dollars in output over the next two years because of pandemic.
Also read:Curb food adulteration with an iron hand: PM Hasina
“To overcome the challenges, we need effective partnership and greater cooperation in the fields of technology and innovation.”
She mentioned that Bangladesh has put emphasis on the use of transformative technology for the last one decade, turning the country into a “Digital Bangladesh”.
With more than six hundred thousand IT professionals, 28 high-tech parks and technology friendly initiatives, she said that Bangladesh is moving forward optimally using the power of the youth and technology.
The Prime Minister said another key area of cooperation where the D-8 member states need to give their focus on is trade.
She mentioned that the D-8 Secretariat can provide information of potentials within the Group and explore scope for "Trade and Investment Cooperation Agreements".
“Such information could help increase trade and investment dialogue, and more trade and investment among the member states. Trade is ultimately driven by the private sector,” she said.
Hasina also mentioned that it is important to facilitate the travel of business people for which Bangladesh has joined six D-8 members in ratifying "Simplification of Visa Procedures for the Businessmen of the D-8 Member States."
She said for effective and sustainable development within D-8, it is now imperative that the member countries cooperate with and assist each other on climate change issues.
“As the Chair of the Climate Vulnerable Forum-CVF, we’ll be happy to work with the D-8 member states on the issue of implementation of the Paris Agreement.”
Talking about the Rohingya issue, Hasina said this problem is causing severe impact on the country’s environment, society and the economy. Bangladesh gave shelter to 1.1 million Rohingyas of Myanmar on humanitarian ground, she said.
“We’ve insisted from the beginning that the Rohingyas have to go back to the Rakhine State in Myanmar in a safe, dignified, voluntary and sustainable manner,” she said.
Also read:Will deliver benefits of independence to all doors: PM Hasina
Unfortunately, the PM mentioned, it has been more than three years after their influx into Bangladesh, and the repatriation process is yet to be started.
“We’re also concerned that if the crisis is not resolved, this may create security concerns in the region and beyond,” she warned.
Expressing her gratitude to the D-8 member states for their support on the issue, she urged them to put pressure on Myanmar for taking back the Rohingyas.
Talking about the natural disaster, the Prime Minister said Bangladesh has achieved phenomenal socio-economic growth even after the increasing frequency of natural disasters.
Last year, she said, in addition to the COVID-19 pandemic, Bangladesh had to bear the brunt of cyclone Amphan, and prolonged flood in large parts of the country.
“It’s estimated that close to 1 percent of our GDP is lost due to climate change, which is likely to increase in the coming decades if the current phenomenon is not reversed. This calls for an urgent and a meaningful cooperation among us for adaptation and mitigation measures.”
On the issue of Covid-19 pandemic, she said that just before the outbreak of the pandemic, Bangladesh had achieved an enviable GDP growth rate of 8.15 percent. Even during the pandemic, it achieved a GDP growth rate of 5.4 percent, one of the highest in the world, by putting equal emphasis on lives and livelihood.
“Apart from rolling out a stimulus package worth 1.24 trillion taka, which is around 4.4% of our GDP, our investment in food security, agriculture and adequate social safety nets contributed in overriding the fallouts of Covid-19.”
She said that the government is also providing various social protection supports to more than 9.5 million people.
“We’ve taken an initiative to provide a house to country’s every homeless person marking the birth centenary of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.”
She mentioned that Women's empowerment and their equal involvement at all levels is also an important factor of economic stability.
She said Bangladesh is one of the top readymade garment exporters in the world. More than 85 percent of the workers in this sector are women. They are significantly contributing to the society and the economy.
The percentage of enrolment in schools is higher for girls than boys.
Women are active in all professions as well as in politics. They are also serving in the UN peacekeeping missions abroad, she added.
Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh places utmost importance to education at all levels.
“We’re providing free education up to secondary level. Bangladesh has become a popular destination for foreign students who want to pursue higher studies.”
In this regard, she said the SEACO University Network will provide a good platform for new and trendier subjects, including the 4IR and also a stable online education platform for our students.
Covid-19: Hasina for balancing livelihoods and public health
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said livelihood activities need to be continued maintaining health hygiene amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“The lives and livelihoods of people should go on. We can’t make people suffer. But it’s absolutely essential to follow health rules,” she said while addressing the concluding ceremony of the 71st foundation training course for BCS cadre officers.
The Prime Minister joined the event, held at Bangladesh Public Administration Training Centre (BPATC) in Savar, virtually from her official residence Ganobhaban.
She urged the people of the country to take measures so that everyone follows the health safety rules.
Also Read: Second dose of Covid vaccine from Thursday: PM
“The coronavirus pandemic has reappeared and now we can see that blow. Though we’ve taken some instant measures, maybe we’ll have to take tougher steps to save people, and we’ll do so,” she said pointing at the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Prime Minister urged all to keep themselves protected and make others protected following the health rules, including the use of face masks.
Pointing at the fresh cadre officers, the PM directed them to pay special attention so that everyone follows the health protection rules in their working areas where they are going to join.
State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain and Public Administration’s Senior Secretary Shaikh Yusuf Harun also spoke on the occasion.
BPATC Rector Rakib Hossain presented the report of the foundation training course. A total of 307 fresh cadre officers, including 89 women, participated in the course conducted at six cetnres in Dhaka, Chattogram, Cumilla and Bogura, and all of them successfully completed the training.
Among them, 31 participants – 18 male officers and 13 female officers-- received the certificates of excellence in the training course.
The State Minister, on behalf of the Prime Minister, handed over the certificates to the first three participants for their outstanding performances during the training.
Also Read: Will take action against those involved in vandalism: PM
The participants from other training centres were virtually connected with the function.
Mentioning her government’s various development plans and activities, the Prime Minister said Bangladesh today graduated to a developing country from the status of a least developed one as the government has been able to accelerate the pace of development programmes remaining in power for the last 12 years in a row. “Now our goal is to build a developed and prosperous Bangladesh by 2041.”
Describing the young officers as the soldiers of building a developed and prosperous Bangladesh by 2041, the Prime Minister directed them to perform their duties with confidence, honesty and sincerity to reach the goal as she may not be alive to run the State at that time.
“Aalways keep in mind that Bangladesh is our motherland. We’re Bangalees. We achieved the victory fighting a war. We’ll move ahead keeping our heads high in the world with dignity,” she said.
She urged the administration to render services showing sincerity to people as they are owners of Bangladesh.
Focusing on the government’s measures to build pro-people public administration, the PM said the government has made arrangements for civil service officers to obtain higher degrees and advanced training at home and abroad.
Climate Challenge: Kerry due Friday to have discussions with Bangladesh
John Kerry, the United States Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, is scheduled to arrive here on Friday on a brief visit during which Bangladesh will convey its priority issues on the climate front.
Kerry, now in India on a four-day visit, will hand over the US President’s invitation to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in person to attend the "Leaders Summit on Climate" to be held on April 22 and 23 virtually.
Kerry is looking forward to "meaningful discussions" with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen and others during his stay in Dhaka on how to tackle the climate crisis.
"In Dhaka, Special Presidential Envoy Kerry will meet representatives from the government of Bangladesh and key development and international partners," a State Department spokesperson told UNB.
As the president of the Climate Vulnerable Forum and the Vulnerable Twenty Group of Finance Ministers, the spokesperson said, Bangladesh plays a leading role in combating climate change.
Also read: Leaders Summit on Climate: Kerry due Apr 9 to invite PM Hasina
Marcia Bernicat, US senior official for economic growth, energy and the environment, has said Bangladesh’s leadership in addressing climate change offers the United States – and the world – a great partner to tackle this climate crisis.
As president of the Climate Vulnerable Forum and the Vulnerable Twenty Group of Finance Ministers, she said, Bangladesh can make irreplaceable contributions towards a successful COP26.
As a climate vulnerable country, Bernicat said, Bangladesh will require significant climate adaptation and resilience, especially in view of its increasingly ambitious climate goals.
US companies are well placed to deliver many of the solutions Bangladesh will need to sustainably grow its economy, she said.
“Yes, we’re happy that he’s coming. We worked with him before, too,” Foreign Minister Dr Momen told UNB.
Also read: Climate-induced displacement a vital security issue for all: Kerry
US President Joe Biden has invited 40 world leaders, including Prime Minister Hasina, to the “Leaders' Summit on Climate” that he will host. The virtual summit will be live-streamed for public viewing.
The “Leaders Summit on Climate” will underscore the urgency – and the economic benefits – of stronger climate action. It will be a key milestone on the road to the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) this November in Glasgow.
“We’ll be happy to convey our priority issues. We’ll also share the steps that Bangladesh has taken so far,” Dr Momen said.
He said Bangladesh believes that adaptation is not enough and there has to be mitigation and Bangladesh needs support as promised by others. “It should be Kerry’s special target.”
Dr Momen said Bangladesh did not create the problem and those responsible countries should share responsibility of rehabilitating and protecting people from the river erosions.
Also read: Kerry invites Bangladesh to join US climate conference
President Biden has emphasised the challenge of climate change, stating, “The United States and the world face a profound climate crisis and by placing climate change at the centre of our foreign policy, diplomacy, and national security.”
During his recent meeting with Presidential Envoy on Climate John Kerry, Dr Momen discussed the global issue of climate change, and the possible US-Bangladesh collaboration in this connection.
The Foreign Minister recollected the vital contribution of Kerry towards the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and welcomed the decision of the US to return to the Paris Agreement.
He described various actions taken by the government of Bangladesh under the prudent leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on mitigation, adaptation and resilience.
Dr Momen also briefed John Kerry on all current and future activities of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) and the Global Centre on Adaptation (GCA) regional office in Dhaka.
Also read: Climate Change: Kerry discusses possible Bangladesh-US collaboration
Kerry recognised the extraordinary challenges faced by Bangladesh due to climate change and frequent natural disasters.
Agreeing that the international financial institutions could do more for the issue of climate change, he also opined that displacement due to climate change would be a vital security issue for everybody.
They agreed to work closely in the COP26 and other multilateral platforms in order to fulfil commitments under the Paris Climate Agreement and even go beyond Paris.
President Biden took action on his first day in office to return the US to the Paris Agreement.
Days later, on January 27, he announced that he would soon convene a leaders’ summit to galvanise efforts by the major economies to tackle the climate crisis.
10th D-8 Summit: D-8 leaders to meet virtually Thursday
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will lead the Bangladesh delegation at the 10th D-8 Summit on Thursday to be participated by leaders of Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkey.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will hand over the D-8 Chairmanship to Prime Minister Hasina.
Before the Summit, the 19th D-8 Council of Ministers will be held virtually on Wednesday. Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen will lead the Bangladesh side.
The theme of the D-8 Summit is “Partnership for a Transformative World: Harnessing the Power of Youth and Technology” and the Summit will adopt two documents “D-8 Decennial Roadmap 2020-2030” and “Dhaka Declaration 2021”.
Also read: D-8 Youth Summit: Dhaka for achieving SDGs engaging youth
Bangladesh will host the 10th D-8 (Developing-8) Summit virtually in the context of COVID-19 new normal scenario that will focus on trade, investment, mineral resources, tourism, ICT, climate and Rohingya issues.
“These are the things we’ll try to focus on through dialogue and discussions,” said Foreign Minister Momen.
Dr Momen said they will seek support from all for a “durable solution” to the Rohingya crisis and address the challenges posed by climate change.
On trade issues, he said there is a lot of potential to boost trade among the D-8 member states which remained untapped.
Prime Minister Hasina attended the first D-8 Summit held in 1997 and Dhaka successfully hosted the second D-8 Summit in 1999.
Also read: Dhaka for promoting intra-trade, investment in innovation among D-8 members
Through the 10th Summit, Bangladesh will assume the chairmanship of D-8 for the term of two years from Turkey which will create a new avenue for Bangladesh to share its development success story globally and will help expand its relations with the outside world, Dr Momen said.
The D-8 aims for Economic Cooperation to improve the member states’ position in the global economy, to diversify and create new opportunities in trade relations, to enhance participation in decision-making at international level, and to improve standards of living.
Meanwhile, the 43rd Session of the D-8 Commission was held on April 5-6. On April 5, D-8 Business Forum and first D-8 Youth Summit were held on the sidelines of the Summit.
The Summit will put emphasis on strengthening of intra-trade among D-8 member states and in that context will urge the member states to ensure benefits from the D8 Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) through its proper implementation.
Hasina seeks policy support from US to expand bilateral trade
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday stressed the need for having adequate policy support from the USA government to expand bilateral trade between the two countries.
“It’s important that both the countries provide adequate policy support to further expand bilateral trade,” she said while addressing the virtual launching of the US-Bangladesh Business Council in a pre-recorded video message.
The Prime Minister mentioned that Bangladesh buys a considerable amount of industrial raw materials and consumer items like cotton, soybean and wheat from the United States. “All these items enjoy zero tariff in Bangladesh,” she added.
Regarding development, she said the United States has remained as a strong partner in Bangladesh’s journey towards democracy and development. “It’s [US] the largest destination of our exports, the largest source of foreign direct investment, a longstanding development partner and an important source of technology and training.”
The Prime Minister said while Bangladesh’s dependence on foreign aid has come down substantially, the need for foreign direct investment increased to create jobs for millions of youths.
Also read: Will work together with Bangladesh, global partners against Covid-19 pandemic: Miller
Chakaria madrasa student arrested under DSA for video on PM
Police arrested a madrasa student from Chakaria on Sunday for allegedly recording a video with derogatory comments on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and uploading it on Facebook.
The arrestee was identified as Md Nurul Ajad, 29, a 3rd year student of Amjadia Rafiqul Ulum Fazil Madrasa.
Cox’s Bazar police superintendent Hasanujjaman said Rafikul recorded a video using obscene language for the PM and Awami League’s factions regarding the yesterday’s incident of Hefazat’s leader Maulana Mamunul Haque and his claimed wife at Sonargaon.
Later the accused uploaded the video on Facebook, said police.
Also read: Jashore madrasa student held for rape
A case has been lodged against the accused following the relevant law, confirmed superintendent Hasanujjaman.
On Saturday, Hefazat-e-Islam’s Joint Secretary General Mamunul Haque was detained with a woman in a resort room in Sonargaon whom he claimed to be his second wife.
Mahanagar Hefazat’s secretary Ferdausur Rahman said Mamunul went to the resort with his second wife where the local Chatra League and Jubo League leaders confined and harassed him, before calling in the police.
Later, on Saturday night, supporters of Mamunul Haque went on the rampage in Narayanganj and vandalised the resort in Sonargaon from where he was detained.
Also read: 4 madrasa students killed in Sirajganj road crash
At one point, they broke down the main gate of the resort and started a massive rampage entering the property.
As the situation was getting out of hand, police released Mamunul Haque to the demonstrating madrasa folks.
The saga of destruction continued yet after as the protestors blocked the Dhaka-Chittagong highway vandalized and set fire to local AL office and Jubo League Leader’s vehicle.
Will take action against those involved in vandalism: PM
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said punitive legal measures will be taken against those involved in destructive activities using the name of Islam."People won’t accept any anti-Islamic activities in the name of religion. Defamation of Islam for a few people won’t be tolerated. I’ll tell the people of the country to have patience, everyone has to step forward with patience," she said while delivering her winding up speech of the 12th session of the 11th Parliament.Talking about recent activities, vandalism and mayhem of Hefazat-e-Islam, she said that they are destroying the holy religion completely through their destructive and anti-social activities."Many people lost their lives due to their activities. Even on March 26 many people lost their lives [and] for these, they (Hefazat) are solely responsible," she said.Sheikh Hasina alleged that BNP and Jamaat are there behind Hefazat. "Hefazat is not alone, BNP and Jamaat are with them," she said.
Also read: Perform duties properly to enforce Corona directives: PM
‘Which religion do they believe in?’
Talking about the celebration of the Golden Jubilee of Independence, she said that many foreign guests came to join the that occasion, but Hefazat declared that they would not allow Narendra Modi to come."Why? This is my question. Today Hefazat is declaring their programmes. Don’t they go to Deoband (India) for higher studies on Islam. After such incident how they will go to Deoband (India) for higher studies?" she said.Showing some pictures of March 26 Hefazat incidents, she said that a rumour was spread by Hefazat that one person was killed in Baitul Mukarram, then from March 26-31, they unleashed destructive activities across the country.BNP-Jamaat's statement in favour of Hefazat on March 27 and 28 were part of anti-state conspiracy. On March 28, Hefazat called countrywide hartal. "On that day, they ransacked and torched AL office, houses of AL activists and various transports," she said.The Prime Minister asked which religion they believe in as they burnt the Holy Quran.
‘Law will take own course’
She asked the Hefazat leaders and activists why they set afire AL and BCL offices and their party leaders houses. "They’re playing with fire, fire can spread from one house to another house, don’t they take this into consideration?" she said adding that people will not tolerate these.Regarding the utmost patience of police and other law enforcement agencies during the mayhem, she said that the government showed its highest patience to avert bigger confrontation as it wanted to celebrate the Golden Jubilee programme properly."Law will take its own course," she said.
PM calls for unity in war against nature
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called upon all to remain united in the war against nature to avert a possible loss for mankind.
“In our war against nature, we’ll lose unless we unite,” she wrote in the renowned magazine Diplomat in its April 2021 issue.
In the write up – ‘Forging Dhaka-Glasgow CVF-COP26 Solidarity’ – she said that humans are consciously destroying the very support systems that are keeping us alive.
“What planet shall we leave for the Greta Thunbergs or those at the Bangladesh Coastal Youth Action Hubs? At COP26 we must not fail them,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina, currently the president of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF), said, we want to see climate financing unleashed, not only towards low-carbon economy, but also for the promised US$100 billion, and 50 percent dedicated to climate resilience-building.
Also read: Leaders Summit on Climate: Kerry due Apr 9 to invite PM Hasina
“We want to see international carbon markets unlocked for transnational climate cooperation and solutions found to our profound loss, damage and climate injustice,” she added.
She mentioned that the CVF represents over one billion of the world’s most vulnerable communities, whose very survival is threatened by the slightest sea level rise, frequent hurricanes or rapid desertification.
In this connection, she said that for Bangladesh, often referred to as the ‘ground zero’ of natural disasters, climate change is a survival battle braved by millions of our resilient people whose homes, lands and crops are lost to the recurring wrath of nature.
Every year, 2% of country’s GDP is lost to extreme climate events. By the turn of the century, it will be 9%. By 2050, more than 17% of its coastlines will go underwater displacing 30 million.
Six million Bangladeshis have already become climate displaced. And yet the country continues to bear the 1.1 million Rohingyas from Myanmar at the cost of environmental havoc in Cox’s Bazar.
“Who will pay for this loss and damage?” She asked.
Also read: Climate adaptation: Bangladesh for making finance more accessible
The Prime Minister wrote that like Bangladesh, every CVF nation has an irreversible climate loss and damage story to tell.
“But they contributed little to global emissions. It is time to address this climate injustice.”
She said that international cooperation on climate had been de-prioritised by the US for several years. International climate finance was falling far short of the $100 billion pledged at Paris.
“The G-20, accounting for nearly 80 per cent of global emissions lacked the political will to finance transactional carbon markets to support low-carbon projects in vulnerable countries. Loss and damage remained a far cry.”
And then, she said, COVID-19 hit us like a bolt from the blue, triggering the triple perils of climate, health and nature. A rude awakening finally forced the world to heed to my warning that the climate crisis is indeed an emergency.
And any recovery had to be green, nature-based and resilient. Therefore, my first act as CVF President was to declare climate change a ‘planetary emergency’ and call upon all to be on a ‘war footing’ to arrest global temperature rise at 1.5 degrees.
Also read: Bangladesh with Maldives in fighting climate change: PM
“By Autumn 2020, I’d seen very few NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions), and COP26 was postponed, so I launched the ‘Midnight Survival Deadline for the Climate’ initiative at the CVF Leaders’ Summit,” Sheikh Hasina said.
She said that US President Joe Biden’s returning to the Paris treaty was also inspiring.
“But those who failed to meet CVF’s midnight-deadline, I urge them, to submit ambitious NDCs ahead of COP26. CVF’s most vulnerable members pledged no less than a net-zero by 2030, including Barbados, Costa Rica and the Maldives.”
Talking about Bangladesh, she wrote that Bangladesh, the CVF member with the largest population, also submitted interim NDC updates with additional pledges over and above Paris to reduce methane emissions. For Bangladesh and the CVF, climate adaptation and financing is a prime ‘survival’ priority as we relentlessly struggle to protect our populations from recurrent extreme climate events.
“Realistically, my climate survival philosophy has been a common sense one. ‘Help thy self’ and wait for no one to rescue. Because, climate change is not going to spare us for our inactions.”
As a testament to this, she said, she had long championed locally-led adaptation and resilience-building at the heart of which are local actors, especially women and youth.
In 2020, when Category-5 Cyclone Amphan mercilessly hit Bangladesh and India, Bangladesh demonstrated its capability to evacuate 2.4 million people and half-a-million livestock to safety in less than five days.
Also read: Climate change: Hasina seeks more actions than words
That same year, two-thirds of Bangladesh went under water in flash floods during the pandemic.
Even though this double jeopardy cost $3.5 billion in GDP losses, disaster preparedness of Bangladesh saved millions of lives.
She said that Bangladesh has also learnt to self-finance its climate projects. The government has thus created a $450 million Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund that supports nearly 800 adaptation and resilience projects in its vulnerable coasts.
“We are spending on an average 2.5 per cent of our GDP – US$5billion each year – on climate adaptation and resilience-building.”
She said that Bangladesh built 16.4km of sea dykes, 12,000 cyclone shelters and 200,000 hectares of coastal plantation.
The scientists invented nature-based solutions for the country’s coastal communities, such as salinity and stress tolerant crops, rain reservoirs and pond-sand-filters, floating agriculture technology and mobile water treatment plants.
In Bangladesh, the Prime Minister wrote, we are now championing climate prosperity. By pioneering the ‘Mujib Climate Prosperity Decade 2030,’ named after Bangladesh’s Founding Father, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman during his birth centenary, I have called CVF nations to initiate ‘climate prosperity plans.’ We have already planted 11.5 million trees under our plan.
These are strategic, low carbon investment frameworks integrated into national development plans for capturing our growth and prosperity. But the CVF can only do so much on its own.
“There is a limit to adaptation too!” she said.
“It is vital to build strong CVF-COP solidarity. We want to see a Dhaka-Glasgow-CVF-COP26 Declaration emerge from November’s meeting. We, the climate vulnerable nations want to see G20 submit ambitious NDCs before COP26.”
PM opens Bangabandhu 9th Bangladesh Games
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina opened multi-sport extravaganza Bangabandhu 9th Bangladesh Games on Thursday at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in the capital.
She joined the inaugural ceremony from her official residence Ganobhaban virtually in the evening.
Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA) is organising the Bangladesh Games at 29 separate venues across the country.
Addressing the opening ceremony, Prime Minister Hasina urged all athletes of 31 sports disciplines of the Games to make themselves fit enough to compete in the Olympics in the future.
“Alongside showing your skills in (9th Bangladesh Games), make yourselves properly fit to participate in the Olympic Games anywhere in the world in the future,” she said.
She said the government will take steps to arrange international training to make sportspersons prepared so that they can take part in some events of the Olympic Games. “We want to develop our athletes in such a way,” she said.
The PM urged all the athletes to follow the health protection rules as it is being held amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Also read: Avoid public gatherings, wear masks to fight Covid surge, PM urges all
She also asked the organiser to pay attention so that health rules are maintained during the Bangabandhu 9th Bangladesh Games.
Sheikh Hasina said sports are absolutely needed, particularly for our small children and youths.