Momen Seeks Support to Address Challenges of Climate Change

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has requested for support in the form of climate financing, rehabilitation of climate migrants, and transfer of green technology to address the challenges of climate change, reports BSS.

He made this request when holding separate bilateral meetings with the Head of IMF and several Dutch Ministers on the side lines of the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) meet in Rotterdam of the Netherlands on Monday, a foreign ministry press release said here today.

IMF

During his meeting with International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, Bangladesh Foreign Minister requested for support of the IMF in addressing the challenges of climate change.

Dr. Momen explained the difficulties faced by the people of Bangladesh because of the climate change, including sea-level rise, increase in salinity, river erosion, floods and draughts.

He also mentioned the steps taken by the Bangladesh government under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in addressing those challenges.

Portraying Bangladesh as a global leader in the area of climate change adaptation, Momen sought IMF support for funding several projects, taken by the Bangladesh government to become climate resilient.

The IMF chief appreciated the Bangladesh government role in addressing the challenges of climate change and lauded Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to provide shelters to the Rohingyas who had fled persecution in their own country, Myanmar.

Georgieva assured that her office would be ready to work with Bangladesh in the area of climate change.

Infrastructure and Water Management In the meeting with Dutch Minister for Infrastructure and Water Management, Barbara Visser, Dr. Momen requested for the Netherlands support in implementation of the different projects under the Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100.

He also explained the necessity of embankments to protect from sea-level rise, river erosion and floods and sought Dutch advice and assistance in building embankments and dykes in this regard.

Momen also suggested that the Dutch Government may support Bangladesh in water management in the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) that are being developed in different places in Bangladesh.

Visser assured the Bangladesh Foreign Minister Momen of continued Dutch support for the Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100.

It was also agreed that the two sides would work together to address the challenges of climate change.

Foreign trade and development cooperation

Foreign Minister Momen also held a bilateral meeting with the Netherlands Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Minister Tom De Bruijn.

In the meeting, Dr. Momen requested for continued preferential access of Bangladeshi products into Dutch market for a period of time after the graduation of Bangladesh from the group of LDCs.

Foreign Minister informed the Netherlands Minister about the exportable items of Bangladesh, and suggested that the Dutch importers may explore different Bangladeshi products and services, including pharmaceuticals and ICT service.

Momen also briefed Bruijn about the different initiatives of Bangladesh in the area of climate change and requested for Dutch development cooperation in the area of renewable energy and transfer of green technology in this regard.

The Foreign Minister is now in The Netherlands to attend the meeting of the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA), the Dutch initiative to develop and share knowledge and best practices for climate change adaptation.

Dr. Momen is the Board Member of the GCA, while the immediate UN past Secretary General Ban Ki Moon is the Chairman of the organisation.