City Desk :
Speakers at a seminar on Monday said Bangladesh is continually listed globally as one of the most vulnerable countries to the impacts of climate change and it needs to improve its fiscal space and pursue grant-based or concessional climate assistance, as well as renegotiate and restructure existing development loans.
They said the country’s vulnerability to climate change is largely attributed to its geography, which makes it particularly susceptible to natural disasters and rising sea levels, reports UNB.
Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) organised the national seminar titled “Bangladesh’s Climate Resilience and Financing: Challenges, Opportunities and Way Forward” at the BIISS auditorium.
Convenor, Climate Parliament Bangladesh and Member of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nahim Razzaq spoke at the programme as the chief guest while BIISS Chairman Ambassador AFM Gousal Azam Sarker moderated the session and wrapped up with his remarks.
Professor Emeritus, BRAC University Dr Ainun Nishat was present as special guest.
A dense population, dependence on agriculture for livelihood and weak adaptive capacity adds to its vulnerability to climate change impacts.
However, Bangladesh is relentlessly trying to strengthen its adaptive capacity, they observed.
The country has integrated climate change into its national legal and policy framework, placing a stronger emphasis on conservation of the environment, biodiversity, and protection of people, the speakers said.
Despite its efforts, they said, accessing international climate finance remains a major challenge for Bangladesh, with strict eligibility criteria preventing agencies from qualifying for global climate funds like the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF), and the Adaptation Fund (AF).
Director General of BIISS Major General Md Abu Bakar Siddique Khan delivered the welcome address. Three presentations were delivered in the national seminar.
Senior Research Fellow of BIISS Dr Sufia Khanom delivered a presentation on “Financing for Climate Resilience: Context and Issues.” A presentation on “Case Studies/Best Practices for Innovative Financial Mechanisms” was made by Shaikh Muhammad Mehedi Ahsan, Country Representative, IUCN and General Secretary Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP); while Dr Mohammad Abu Yusuf, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Finance made a presentation on “Innovative Financial Mechanisms”.
Senior officials from different ministries, diplomatic missions, researchers, academics, businesspeople, representatives from different think tanks and international organisations, and teachers and students from various universities participated in the national seminar.