Bangladesh-US will work for effective climate action: Foreign minister

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has said Bangladesh and the United States (US) have the opportunity to work together to realise a number of long-term, ambitious and effective climate action initiatives.

He made this remark on Saturday after a meeting with John Kerry, the US President's Special Envoy on Climate, says a press release.

The two leaders discussed a wide range of cooperation issues at the bilateral meeting held on the side-lines of the ongoing Munich Security Conference.

They discussed the possibility of growth in renewable energy in Bangladesh in line with the country's requirement to generate an additional 4,000 MW of energy from renewable sources to meet its target of 40% within its energy mix. 

Momen urged the G7 to support Bangladesh and other climate vulnerable countries with cost-effective technologies for transition to green energy. Kerry talked about the potential of nuclear modular plants that are currently being tested in the US. 

The foreign minister also sought the US support in skills development for creating job opportunities in the renewable energy sector and solar energy-driven equipment operations. 

Kerry took interest in the project envisaged for heightening and widening embankments with afforestation and renewable energy generation capacity along Bangladesh's coastal belt. He assured of facilitating the US support in conducting the initial feasibility study for the purpose. 

The US Presidential Envoy invited Bangladesh to join the Global Methane Pledge as a means to benefit from support for reducing emissions from solid waste, among other sectors. 

The two leaders also talked about the recent sanctions imposed by the US on the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and some of its former and current officials.

Bangladesh Ambassador to Germany Md Mosharraf Hossain Bhuyian was present at the meeting.