Staff Reporter :
The US government has assured the government of Bangladesh of providing necessary assistance in coastal afforestation and renewable energy arena.
US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry on Thursday conveyed his government’s desire to Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen when both of them sat on a sideline meeting during the ‘Our Ocean Conference’ in Palau.
Kerry said that his government wanted to provide assistance in the coastal tree plantation, in capacity building for renewable energy production and construction of dams if needed.
Both the leaders also talked about the capacity enhancement of Bangladesh government to resist the pollution of ocean, Foreign Ministry said.
Abdul Momen urged the United States to create jobs in renewable energy and provide assistance for capacity enhancement in this sector.
Kerry lauded the Bangladesh government for undertaking various initiatives under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina to combat the climate risk.
He also urged the Bangladesh government to join the ‘Global Methane Pledge’ to obtain necessary cooperation to combat emission from heavy wastage.
About the emerging sectors, Momen told Kerry about the huge potentialities of blue economy by tapping the ocean resources.
Unit chief of Maritime Affairs of Foreign Ministry Md Khurshid Alam and Bangladesh Ambassador to Palau FM Borhan Uddin, among others, were present on the occasion.
In addition, Abdul Momen held a meeting with the Minister of State of Palau government Gustav Aitaro.
During the bilateral meeting both sides talked about the untapped areas of opportunities like tourism, pharmaceuticals, readymade garments and trade relations between the two friendly countries.
They further talked about the regular diplomatic communication between the two countries to take forward the bilateral relations.
Earlier in the morning Bangladesh Foreign Minister participated in the high level conference on the opportunities and challenges of Oceans around the globe.
