PM calls for urgent action to advance climate adaptation solutions

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has joined leaders from the Global Commission on Adaptation in urging governments and businesses to take action to innovate and advance climate adaptation solutions in light of new research findings.

In a message issued on Tuesday on the occasion of the launching of the flagship report of the Global Commission on Adaptation, the prime minister said: “Bangladesh is home to some of the initiatives taking place all over the world, which collectively offer us a roadmap for resilience in the struggle to adapt to climate change."

Sheikh Hasina said a new research report of the commission shows that although Bangladesh has made great strides, there is still more work to be done.

“That is why I am delighted to see the opening of the Global Centre on Adaptation’s new office in Dhaka. This new office will assist Bangladesh in coordinating new efforts and ideas to adapt to climate change while also serving as a portal for the rest of the world to learn from the successful journey we have undertaken so far,” she said.

The premier added: “After all, no nation can do this alone … we must adapt our world together.”

The Global Commission on Adaptation report was launched at events in over 10 capitals and cities around the world, creating momentum behind a new social media campaign — #AdaptOurWorld – to demonstrate the strong global demand for adaptation.

The report finds that investing $1.9 trillion globally from 2020 to 2030 in five areas could yield $7 trillion in net benefits.

The Commission is led by Ban Ki-moon, former secretary-general of the United Nations; Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; and Kristalina Georgieva, the CEO of the World Bank.

Bangladesh is a convening country of the Global Commission and hosted a meeting of the high profile figures from the worlds of politics, business and civil society in July this year.

Ban Ki-moon and Kristalina Georgieva visited Bangladesh in July 2019 following an invitation from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to host the first meeting of the Global Commission on Adaptation in the Global South.