By Elishya Perera
DHAKA, Bangladesh (CWBN)_ The UK and Bangladesh launched the first of a series of virtual events on 24th and 25th November, with the aim of developing international cooperation for climate action on the journey towards the UN climate change conference (COP26), which is scheduled to be held next year.
The British High Commission in Dhaka said in a statement issued yesterday (Nov 29) that the series will bring together leaders and experts from Bangladesh and UK, to bolster partnerships and identify innovative ideas in order to accelerate climate action.
“One of the UK’s top objectives for COP26, and for this forum, is to hear voices from frontline, from the young, from the experts, from the private sector, from our friends and from people we haven’t heard from yet. We want to hear all your ideas,” Judith Herbertson, Bangladesh Director of Development at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, said.
The statement also noted that the event on 24 November featured presentations on exciting and innovative approaches to climate adaptation and resilience, by several experts, including the Head of the Climate Bridge Fund Secretariat, the Deputy Team Leader of Char Development and Settlement Programme and many more.
Meanwhile, speaking at the event on November 25, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon said, “This UK-Bangladesh partnership on climate action is built on the strong links between our two countries and will last long beyond COP26 […] The UK as COP26 President Designate, and Bangladesh as chair of the Climate Vulnerable Forum, are uniquely placed to play leading roles in this critical year ahead for our planet.”
MP for Berwick-upon-Tweed, who also addressed the gathering, noted that as a highly climate vulnerable country, Bangladesh has become a leader on climate adaption and resilience, and therefore, the UK and other countries have much to learn from Bangladesh’s experience.
According to the statement, the next events in the series, which are scheduled for the 8th and 9th December, will focus on nature-based solutions.
Even though the British government was due to hold the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP26), in the city of Glasgow this year, however, the plans were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the event was postponed to November 2021.
Moreover, on the fifth anniversary of the 2015 Paris Accord, on December 12 this year, the United Nations Secretary-General and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom plan to co-host a landmark global event, dubbed ‘the sprint to Glasgow’, in order to “rally momentum and call for much greater climate action and ambition.”
National governments will be invited to present more ambitious climate plans, including new financial commitments and measures to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, at the event.
Bangladesh, on the other hand, in its role as President of the Climate Vulnerable Forum, will be representing more 1.2 billion people living in 48 of the world’s most climate vulnerable countries at COP26.
Edited by Chathushka Perera
