Staff Reporter :
US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry said that the US administration is looking for greater collaboration with Bangladesh on the issue.
“So, we know from the scientists – we must all take action,” he said seeking joint efforts to protect the countries, citizens and the future generations as no single country can solve the climate crisis today.
He laid emphasis on taking action without taking any mistake to deal with the global climate crisis.
“We’ve 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,” he said.
Kerry made the remarks at a joint media briefing at State Guesthouse Padma after his meeting with Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen at the same venue on Friday.
John Kerry 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 Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s
leadership in demonstrating “extraordinary active generosity” which, he thinks, is very expensive for Bangladesh.
The US has committed to make vaccines available for other countries soon after 100 million Americans are inoculated in the first 100 days of President Joe Biden’s administration, the Special Presidential Envoy said.
He said the US will continue to produce vaccines, which will be available for other countries of the world, soon 100 million Americans are vaccinated.
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Shahab Uddin, Saber Hossain Chowdhy, State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam, Special Envoy for the Vulnerable Forum Presidency Abul Kalam Azad, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl Miller were present.
The visit underscored the US commitment to strengthen 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.
The former American secretary of state has been nominated Joe Biden’s Climate Envoy as the US returned to the Paris Agreement, from which Donald Trump withdrew, generating high hopes among the scientists and global leaders in fighting climate change.
Kerry, who arrived in Dhaka at 11:30am, is scheduled to call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina this afternoon and hand over Joe Biden’s invitation to attend the Global Leaders Summit to be hosted by Biden on April 22 and 23.
Forty world leaders, including from the developed countries and vulnerable countries, will join the summit.
At the summit, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will be recognised for Bangladesh’s leadership of countries, especially those vulnerable to climate change impacts.
“As the chair of the Climate Vulnerable Forum and the Vulnerable Twenty Group of Finance Ministers, Bangladesh plays a vital role in international efforts to combat climate change and adapt and build resilience to climate hazards,” said a statement of the US Embassy in Bangladesh.
