‘PM to stress climate change at UNGA’

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will highlight climate change in his maiden address to the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said.

She said Bangladesh would use major global platforms, including the UN Climate Change Conference COP31 in November, to press for climate justice and draw attention to the environmental benefits of jute products.

Shama made the remarks at a discussion titled “Pursuing Climate Justice Through Climate Diplomacy” at the CIRDAP auditorium in the capital.

She said the government had established a separate climate change wing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the first time to strengthen the country’s climate diplomacy and coordinate its international efforts on the issue.

“We are working with the Ministry of Environment on climate change issues,” she said.

The state minister said the prime minister’s UNGA address would reflect the government’s commitment to tackling climate change while presenting Bangladesh’s priorities and position to the international community.

Tarique Rahman is scheduled to leave for New York on September 21 to attend the 81st UN General Assembly session. He is expected to stay in the United States until September 26 and address the Assembly on September 24.

The prime minister is also expected to attend COP31 in November, Shama said.

She stressed that women and children are among the worst affected by natural disasters and other impacts of climate change, and called for their vulnerabilities and protection needs to receive greater attention in global climate discussions.

“We will tell the international community what should be done for them. We will also highlight the benefits of jute products in the context of climate change,” she said.

Shama said Bangladesh’s traditional and environment-friendly jute products could help reduce dependence on plastic and other materials that contribute to pollution.

She also highlighted the government’s tree-planting and canal-digging programmes, saying such initiatives would help mitigate the effects of climate change and strengthen environmental resilience.

The discussion examined ways to advance climate justice through climate diplomacy at the United Nations and other international forums.

Brighters, CPRD and Waterkeepers Bangladesh organised the programme, with several other organisations joining as co-organisers, as part of broader engagements surrounding the 81st UN General Assembly.