Momen proposes hosting joint event at COP26

PBC News: Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has proposed to host a CVF-COP26 joint event on the sideline of upcoming COP26 to strengthen climate cooperation between the President of COP-26 and the most climate-vulnerable countries including Bangladesh.

Dr Momen made the proposal while holding a bilateral talk with COP26 President-Designate Alok Sharma at 9 Downing Street in London on Thursday, according to a press release received here on Friday morning.

During the meeting, foreign minister highlighted Bangladesh’s important role in the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) under the chairmanship of visionary leader Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina while discussing about the joint event targeting the COP26 to be held in Glasgow in early November.

Dr Momen also proposed to expand bilateral climate relations between the UK and Bangladesh especially in transferring green technology, promoting green investment, and supporting climate mitigation projects such as building embankments to protect people from sea-level rise and river erosion.

The foreign minister briefed Sharma on the COP26 agenda for Bangladesh focusing particularly on loss and damage and the proposed CVF-COP26 Leaders’ Summit under Bangladesh Presidency.

Thanking the COP-26 president-designate for visiting Bangladesh last June, Momen also congratulated him on organizing the July COP26 Ministerial successfully.

Sharma assured Bangladesh of the UK’s continued support for its climate initiatives covering different areas, including collaboration to promote green financing and investment, and technology transfer to build a clean and green future.

Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK and Ireland Saida Muna Tasneem accompanied Dr Momen to the talk along with other senior members of the Minister’s delegation.

Later, Dr Momen delivered a climate talk titled “Forging a CVF-COP26 Climate Solidarity” at the UK’s foremost think tank Chatham House, calling for global solidarity and political commitment to combat climate challenges.

The foreign minister said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been pursuing a low carbon development path although Bangladesh is a minimal emitter.