Foreign Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud has called for increased international support to tackle the risks posed by adverse climate change and to aid the development of small island developing states (SIDS).
On Wednesday (May 29), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Dr. Mahmud made this appeal during his speech on the second day of the Fourth Conference of Small Island Developing States, organized by the United Nations in St. John’s, the capital of the Caribbean island nation of Antigua and Barbuda.
This event took place in the main auditorium of the American University of Antigua during the SIDS Plenary.
Hasan Mahmud stated that Bangladesh, having served two terms as the chair of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF), is particularly focused on addressing the challenges of climate change, rising sea levels, increased sea salinity, and extreme weather events.
He emphasized that high carbon-emitting developed economies must be held accountable for their greenhouse gas emissions, which harm the environment.
To that end, he highlighted the importance of the upcoming COP29 World Climate Summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, where it will be crucial for UN members to focus on implementing climate financing commitments beyond 2025 and enhancing climate risk adaptation capabilities.
The Foreign Minister also mentioned Bangladesh’s leadership in seeking an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the responsibilities of states in combating climate change.
He further announced that Bangladesh is committed to enhancing regional cooperation and capacity in the maritime sector by providing scholarships at the Bangladesh Marine Academy for cadets from less developed African countries and SIDS in the Caribbean and Pacific regions.
At the conclusion of the conference, the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS) – a renewed declaration aiming for resilient development – will be finalized.
Mohammad Abdul Muhith, Bangladesh’s permanent representative to the United Nations in New York, Khandker Masudul Alam, Director General of the North America Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Mir Akram Uddin Ahmad, Public Relations Officer of the Foreign Minister’s office, are attending the conference as part of the national delegation. Bilateral Meetings with Jamaica and the Dominican Republic
In addition to participating in the SIDS conference, Foreign Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud held bilateral meetings with the foreign ministers of Jamaica and the Dominican Republic. The discussions covered enhancing mutual cooperation, people-to-people connections, culture, arts, education, trade, and tourism.
Earlier, in New York, Dr. Hasan Mahmud also met with Bob Rae, Canada’s permanent representative to the United Nations. During their discussion, Bob Rae addressed the Rohingya crisis. The Foreign Minister reiterated that the only solution is for the Rohingyas to return to Myanmar.
