Bangladesh, US to work together to deal with climate crisis

The US administration is looking for collaboration with Bangladesh on the global climate crisis, putting an emphasis on taking action without making any mistake to deal with the issue, US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry said yesterday.

At a joint media briefing at the state guesthouse Padma after a meeting with Kerry, Momen sought US support for increasing global climate ambition and commitment to accelerate the implementation of the Paris Agreement.

He also appreciated the Biden government's decision to return to the global climate negotiations, which would create momentum to advance global climate progress.

Kerry at the meeting focused on cooperation to promote prosperity through climate policy, investment, innovation and sustainable economic growth.

"We have the ability to work together now in order to bring technology, research, development and finance to the table to do what we know we must do," Kerry said.

He said the US remains very focused on helping all concerned in finding a solution to the Rohingya crisis and restoring democracy in Myanmar. 

He appreciated PM Sheikh Hasina's leadership in demonstrating "extraordinary active generosity" which, he thinks, is very expensive for Bangladesh. 

Kerry was the first high-level US official to have visited Bangladesh after the Biden administration came to power.   

He arrived in Dhaka on Friday morning to convey President Joe Biden's commitment to move forward "aggressively" to deal with the global climate crisis and left Dhaka in the evening.

When Kerry called on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her Ganabhaban residence in the capital, the premier said the return of the US to the Paris Agreement on climate change would add new momentum to climate diplomacy.

During the meeting with the Bangladesh premier, he handed over the US President's invitation to Sheikh Hasina in person to attend the "Leaders Summit on Climate" to be held on 22-23 April virtually.

Sheikh Hasina thanked US President Joe Biden for inviting her to join the Leaders Summit while John Kerry thanked the Bangladesh premier for accepting the invitation.

Sheikh Hasina will be recognised for Bangladesh's leadership of countries especially vulnerable to climate impacts during the "Leaders Summit on Climate".

When Kerry called on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her Ganabhaban residence in the capital, the premier said the return of the US to the Paris Agreement on climate change would add new momentum to climate diplomacy.

During the meeting with the Bangladesh premier, Kerry said they can give Covid-19 vaccines to Bangladesh if it wants, as the US demand for the vaccine will be met by the mid-summer.

The special envoy of the US President put emphasis on using an alternative source of energy like renewable ones that include solar energy alongside hydroelectricity to reduce the risk of pollution.

Kerry said that the US companies are keen to invest in the renewable energy sector in partnership with others.

He mentioned that the US will give $2 million in addition to $1 million to the Green Climate Fund.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the government wants to develop the country and for that reason, it needs more energy.

"We want the development of our country. That is why we need energy," she said. 

PM Press secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters that the prime minister mentioned that as the source of clean energy, Bangladesh put emphasis on producing more energy from hydroelectric power plants.

"We have only one hydroelectric power generation plant. Now we are in discussion with Nepal, Bhutan and India to set up hydroelectric plants through bilateral or trilateral initiatives on a regional basis," she said.

She also said that there is around 5.8 million solar connectivity in the country. 

"The agriculture sector also needs solar energy for irrigation," she said.

The visit underscored the US commitment to strengthening the implementation of the Paris Agreement on climate change designed to limit global warming.

As part of the Paris outcome, developed countries were urged to scale up their level of support with a concrete roadmap to achieve the goal of mobilising US$100 billion per year for climate action in developing countries.

"Whatever he [Kerry] takes as a mission he has always a success story. He will achieve at least a $100 billion climate fund each year. That is what I requested of him, and this could be another iconic landmark," Dr Momen said in the joint press briefing, adding that 50% of the fund should be allocated for adaptation and 50% for mitigation.  

They talked about riverbank erosion and how people are getting uprooted and sought US support for their rehabilitation.  

The two sides discussed Bangladesh-US climate collaboration in adaptation, mitigation, renewable energy, waste management, technology transfer and financing of climate change.

"We both agreed we will collaborate to achieve our goal for a better future for the people and future generations," Dr Momen said.

Bangladesh is hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas in Cox's Bazar and Bhasan Char and sought US support for sustainable and dignified return of Rohingyas to Myanmar. 

The Bangladesh foreign minister said, "Rohingyas are destroying our afforestation, ecosystem. We hope that US proactive initiative can help them for a safe, dignified return to their country."

Kerry participated in a climate finance roundtable with international partners hosted by US Ambassador Miller at his residence.

The US will work closely with the international community and private sector to mobilise investment to support mitigation and adaptation to stem the climate crisis and support prosperity.

"Kerry's visit underscores the importance the US places on our partnership with Bangladesh, a vital leader in international efforts to address climate change," US Ambassador Miller said.

As the president of the Climate Vulnerable Forum and the Vulnerable Twenty Group of Finance Ministers, the US said Bangladesh plays a leading role in combating climate change.

US President Joe Biden has invited 40 world leaders, including Prime Minister Hasina, to join the "Leaders' Summit on Climate" that he will host. The virtual summit will be live-streamed for public viewing.

The Leaders Summit on Climate will underscore the urgency – and the economic benefits – of stronger climate action. It will be a key milestone on the road to the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) this November in Glasgow.

Earlier, Foreign Minister Dr Momen and his wife Selina Momen received Kerry upon his arrival at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.