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Bangladesh will call for grant-based financing instead of loans and stronger international support to address climate change impacts and implement adaptation programmes at the upcoming UN climate conference, COP31, scheduled to be held in Antalya, Türkiye, from November 9 to 20.
Environment Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo disclosed the country’s priorities at a press conference at the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change at the Secretariat on Thursday (November 5).
He said Bangladesh would emphasise the need for adequate grant-based climate finance, particularly for adaptation and addressing climate-induced loss and damage, without increasing the debt burden of vulnerable countries.
Bangladesh will also call for simplifying application and approval procedures for accessing international climate funds, he added.
The minister said the Prime Minister would attend the high-level segment of the conference at the invitation of the Turkish government, providing an opportunity to highlight the interests of climate-vulnerable communities, Bangladesh’s national priorities and the need for international cooperation.
Cyclones, floods, salinity, droughts and heatwaves caused by climate change are posing serious threats to people’s lives, livelihoods and development, Mintoo said.
He said Bangladesh would prioritise climate justice, protection of vulnerable communities, and financial and technological assistance to implement its national plans.
On adaptation, Bangladesh will seek financial, technological and capacity-building support for implementing its National Adaptation Plan and achieving the Global Goal on Adaptation.
Special attention will be given to ensuring water, food, healthcare and livelihood security for people in coastal areas, haors, chars and drought-prone regions, alongside strengthening early warning systems and community-level adaptation initiatives.
Regarding climate-induced loss and damage, the minister said the Loss and Damage Fund must ensure faster and easier access to grants for vulnerable countries and affected communities.
He stressed the need for new and additional financial support to address not only economic losses but also displacement, livelihood disruption and other non-economic damages.
Mintoo also underscored the importance of rapidly reducing global greenhouse gas emissions to keep global warming within 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Developed countries must take the lead, while major emitters should take effective measures in line with their responsibilities and capabilities, he said. Developing countries should also receive financial and technological assistance to implement their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
Bangladesh will seek international support for green transitions in agriculture, industry, transport and energy, with particular emphasis on workers’ rights, skills development, social protection and decent employment opportunities for women and young people.
The minister identified affordable access to renewable energy, energy efficiency, clean industries and transport, and climate-resilient technologies as other key priorities.
Bangladesh will also push for increased financing to protect forests, mangroves, wetlands and biodiversity, as well as to support climate initiatives led by women and local communities.
Responding to questions from journalists, Dr Saimum Parvez, the Prime Minister’s Special Assistant for Environment and Forests, said Bangladesh’s position paper had been prepared in consultation with relevant ministries, divisions, agencies and climate experts.
He said the country’s delegation would coordinate with the Least Developed Countries (LDC) Group, the G77 and like-minded climate-vulnerable nations to advance Bangladesh’s national interests.
Bangladesh expects COP31 to deliver concrete progress on climate finance and implementation support to protect people’s lives and livelihoods from climate risks, he added.
Parvez said the government would set up a 100-square-metre pavilion at the conference venue to showcase Bangladesh’s climate vulnerabilities, adaptation experiences, NDC 3.0, National Adaptation Plan, climate finance, loss and damage, carbon markets, renewable energy and community-led initiatives.
A separate jute pavilion will also be established at the venue.
Acting Secretary of the ministry Dr Fahmida Khanam, Additional Secretary Mohammad Navid Shafiullah, Department of Environment Director General Dr Md Lutfor Rahman, Chief Conservator of Forests Mohammad Amir Hossain Chowdhury and Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Managing Director Kazi Rownakul Islam, among other senior officials, attended the press conference.
