Demand for allocation in COP 28 to South Asian countries

Kamruzzaman Bablu, Expo City from Dubai, UAE :
South Asian countries, including Bangladesh and the Maldives, are suffering the most due to climate change.

That is why, the two countries have demanded adequate allocation for South Asian countries from the Loss and Damage Fund, said Tariq Ibrahim, Minister of Climate Change, Environment and Energy of Maldives.

He made this claim at a side-line event on the seventh day of the climate conference held at Dubai Expo City on Wednesday.

Like other South Asian countries, Tariq Ibrahim is also playing a voluntary role in the ongoing climate conference.

Mr, Tariq emphasized the importance of regional cooperation in achieving climate justice in South Asia with the South Asian Climate Change Journalist’s Forum, in an exchange meeting held in room 33 of the Blue Zone on the day.

“Just as marine corals are being damaged due to climate change; marine fish extraction is also being damaged.

Even though 30% of our GDP comes from the tourism industry, it is affected by climate change,” said Tariq.

The Maldivian minister said that many islands have lost habitability due to rising sea levels due to climate change.

Health risks have increased due to various problems including sanitation.

But we cannot solve these problems as the islands are separate.

He said that although the rich countries have made various promises, the allocation given to the Green Climate Fund and the Loss and Damage Fund for the first time is insufficient.

Ashish Gupta, President of South Asian Climate Change Journalists’ Forum, presides over the programme while its Executive President Keramat Ullah Biplab, Vice President Rabnewaz Chowdhury and Sriram Subedi also spoke and Asaduzzaman Samrat, Secretary General, conducted the meeting.

In the discussion session, Keramat Ullah Biplab emphasized on organizing a climate conference with South Asian countries separately to achieve climate justice in South Asia.

Rabnewaz Chowdhury said climate change is responsible for the damage caused by recent floods and tsunamis in Pakistan.

Asaduzzaman Samrat said that the sea level is rising as the Himalayan ice melts.

Because of this, as premature floods are occurring, 200,000 people have become climate refugees in Bangladesh every year.

As a result, the pressure of poor people in urban areas is increasing.

At that time, the treasurer of the organization Machum Billah, executive member Pragati Dhakal and international relations officer of the Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy of Maldives Fatmah Usra were present.

US Special Envoy for Climate Change John Kerry addressed a press conference in the afternoon of the conference.