Staff Reporter :
Speakers at a roundtable conference on Thursday opined that it would be self-destructing for Bangladesh to receive loan for tackling adverse impact of climate change in the country.
Laying emphasis on financial assistance instead of receiving credit, they also urged that the delegates who would be attending the UN Climate Conference in Paris (COP21) in December to play an effective role to ensure the financial assistance [compensation] for the country.
They made the above observations at a roundtable conference, organised by Network on Climate Change Bangladesh, held at the PKSF auditorium in the city chaired by NCCB Chairman Kazi Wahiduzzaman.
Chairman of PKSF Dr Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad attended the conference as the chief guest while the keynote paper was presented by NCCB coordinator Mizanur Rahman Bijoy.
“Now some people are talking about getting credit for chasing climate change impact. But it is not acceptable to take loan for tackling adverse impact of climate change. Instead, we have to fight tough to get compensation as Bangladesh is one of the most climate affected countries around the world,” said Dr Kholiquzzaman.
He said, “It is a long-standing process to recover compensation. So, we will have to continue talks apart from taking effective steps in this regard.”
In the conference, the speakers also said that the ‘developed nations’ are solely responsible for the climate change. They have already admitted the responsibility. But they are playing dilly-dally role in playing compensations to the less developed countries.
And so, the less developed countries must be united to compel them [developed nations] to sign an agreement in this regard. Once the agreement is signed, then it will be easy for us [less developed countries] to fight for compensation for climate impact in the future.
In this circumstance, Bangladesh will have to play the role of a leader of the affected countries [in the climate change], the speakers said.
Indications are clear that after more than 20 years of negotiations among more than 190 countries, the UN climate conference in Paris will be a turning point in the fight against climate change.
For the first time at any climate conference, renewable energy solutions will take centre stage in a series of high-profile events coupled with new commitments and announcements.
Managing Director of PKSF Md Abdul Karim, chairman of Paribesh Bachao Andolon Abu Naser Khan, legal expert advocate Hafizul Islam Khan, climate finance experts Fazle Rabbi Siddqui Ahmed, Mirza Shawkat Ali and Ziaul Hoque also spoke at the conference, among others.
