Devise ‘mechanism’ to make best use of climate fund


FE Report | Published: September 19, 2018 10:05:11 | Updated: September 21, 2018 15:53:53


Internet photo used for illustrative purpose only

Experts at a dialogue have laid emphasis on transparency, accountability and government mechanism to help ensure best use of climate change resilience fund.

They also called for ensuring data openness of various programmes under such fund, providing strong monitoring and evaluation system and forming a multi-stakeholder forum in this regard.

The experts came up with the suggestions on Tuesday at a daylong event titled 'Dhaka integrity dialogue 3: equity and transparency in green climate funding' organised by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC).

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud attended the closing session as the chief guest while executive director of TIB Dr Iftekharuzzaman moderated the session.

Deputy Comptroller and Auditor General of Bangladesh (Senior) Mohammed Iqbal Hossain attended the session as a guest of honour.

TIB executive management Adviser Prof Sumaiya Khair presented the summary and recommendations made by the experts at various plenary sessions of the daylong event.

Experts at a session on access to green climate fund blamed unnecessary bureaucracy and lack of interest on a section of government officials behind the slowdown of the process of climate change adaptation related project implementation.

They alleged that there is corruption in all levels of the administration as well as private parties and other stakeholders of different projects.

They also underscored the need for monitoring the implementation of projects at grassroots level along with ensuring participation from the community and experts.

Since there have been allegations of corruption in projects, a unique cell can be formed within the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) which will oversee such matters, the experts said.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Anisul Islam Mahmud said Bangladesh is a really vulnerable country in terms of its geographic location.

"By the year 2100, one-third of Bangladesh may submerge in water due to rise in sea level unless global warming is duly checked," the minister said.

Besides inundation, he said, a vast area of the country might face soil salinity from marine water due to negative impacts of climate change.

He also said the government is implementing various projects with its own fund besides the support from Green Climate Fund (GCF), a global platform under the United Nations (UN) to respond to climate change impacts.

Regarding irregularities in climate resilient projects, he said the government alone cannot ensure transparency in such projects, which actually require coordinated efforts of all stakeholders including non-governmental organisations and civil society platforms.

In his speech, Dr Iftekharuzzaman stressed the need for easing the complexities in procedure to avail the fund from developed countries under the GCF.

Earlier, the TIB organised two other dialogues on the issue in the last two consecutive years.

saif.febd@gmail.com

Share if you like