COP28 opens with tributes to Saleemul Huq

City Desk  :
The opening session of COP28 yesterday started with an outpouring of remembrance and respect for Saleemul Huq and Pete Betts, two climate activists who passed away in October.
Saleemul Huq was one of the leading climate scientists in the world, and he was the Director of the International Centre for Climate Change & Development (ICCAD) as well as a professor in Independent University, Bangladesh.
His work in establishing the concept of “loss and damage” as a central idea in the realm of climate justice made him a key figure in climate activism. He passed away on October 28 of cardiac arrest.
Pete Betts was an official from the United Kingdom, and he served as the European Union’s chief negotiator at the COP21 in France, where the Paris Agreement was adopted. Sameh Shoukry, president of COP27 and the Foreign Minister of Egypt, began proceedings by saying, “Please join me in reflecting on the life and work of two esteemed colleagues of our process who we have lost recently. Pete Betts from the United Kingdom and Saleemul Huq from Bangladesh.”
“Saleemul Huq was an eminent climate scientist who was recognised by the scientific journal Nature as one of the top 10 scientists in the world. He dedicated his professional career to give voice to those most impacted by climate change. He was a member of countless climate negotiators and scientists from the least developed countries went through his negotiator training workshops. He will be fondly remembered for his endearing smile and his calm yet fierce determination,” Shoukry said.