We are here to learn from Bangladesh: Ban Ki-moon

The former secretary general of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon has praised Bangladesh’s adaptation to the threat of climate change.

In the inaugural ceremony of a two-day international conference of the Global Commission on Adaptation (GCA), Ban Ki-moon said Bangladesh has now a very effective adaptation action to fight against the adverse effects of climate change.

“This is adaptation in action and this is why we are here, to learn from you and send the message far and wide from Dhaka,” said Ban Ki-moon in the event held at the InterContinental, Dhaka on Wednesday.

He praised Bangladesh’s recent action to save people’s lives from natural disasters.

“1.6 million people were moved to safety before cyclone ‘Fani’. Look at the statistics of 1970 when half a million people were killed in a cyclone. This is called adaptation in progress”, he added.

He said that there is a plan to establish an adaptation centre in Dhaka.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, incumbent GCA chair and Marshal Island President Dr Hilda Heine, and co-chair of the commission Dr Kristaline Georgieva also attended the event.

Bangladesh will display its practices on climate change adaptation initiatives in the global meeting.

Several recommendations on climate change adaptation will be prepared in the meeting for placing it before the UN in September.