Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, now in Stockholm on a three-day visit, has said that the plights of displaced coastal people due to sea-level rise may turn into a security issue if the current trend continues.
Momen and his Swedish counterpart Ann Linde had a bilateral meeting on Wednesday on the sidelines of the Stockholm+50 international meeting and sought Swedish assistance to enhance Bangladesh’s capacity to adapt to the adverse effects of the climate crisis.
Bangladesh and Sweden have agreed to strengthen and expand cooperation to combat climate change challenges through joint efforts, reports UNB.
He invited Sweden to build partnership with Bangladesh on further cooperation in climate adaptation, renewable energy, innovation, technology transfer and green growth.
The Swedish foreign minister applauded Bangladesh’s leadership role in global climate change discourses, especially as Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) Chair under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday.
Momen said they have just passed on the presidency of CVF, an alliance of 55 climate vulnerable nations- to Ghana. “However, we will continue to promote the interests of the vulnerable nations as part of the TROIKA of CVF.”
He also requested Sweden to enhance and diversify its climate cooperation with Bangladesh through GCF, Adaptation Fund (AF), and Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF).
Momen also stressed on the need of additional financing mechanism for loss and damage.
The two ministers underlined the importance of global cooperation for effective implementation of the Paris Agreement and agreed to work together to that end.
While emphasizing on the importance of trade and investment for a strengthened bilateral relation, Momen urged Sweden to further diversify its exports beyond the traditional items and invest in the 100 Economic Zones that the government of Bangladesh has established.
He sought Sweden’s proactive role in both bilateral and multilateral contexts in promoting the safe, dignified and voluntary return of the forcibly displaced Rohingyas to their homes in Myanmar at the earliest.
Stockholm+50 international environmental meeting being held from June 1-3 under the theme “Stockholm+50: a healthy planet for the prosperity of all – our responsibility, our opportunity.”
