Prime Minister's five proposals for climate-vulnerable countries

The Prime Minister said the world's climate financing system is still inadequate. It does not properly take into account the needs and priorities of developing countries. Climate-related losses and damages are creating a major burden on our economy. At the same time, rising debt repayments and limited financial resources are making the situation even more difficult.

He said climate-vulnerable countries need grants, not more loans that increase their debt. They also need reliable financial support, access to modern technology, and strong support for adaptation. Following the principle of ‘common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities’, Bangladesh is calling for five urgent actions.

The five actions are: allocating at least 50 percent of international climate finance to adaptation based on each country's priorities, while also supporting emission reduction efforts. Introducing emergency debt relief facilities for climate-vulnerable countries, including a ‘Climate-Resilient Debt Clause’ and ‘Debt-for-Climate Swaps’. Ensuring fair access to environmentally friendly climate technologies and providing necessary support for transferring these technologies to developing countries. Accelerating the transition to renewable energy through affordable financing, skills development and a just energy transition. Adopting a ‘Belem-Antalya Action Mechanism’ at COP31 for a just energy transition, based on fair financing and fair trade.

Addressing world leaders, Tareque Rahman said Bangladesh expects a successful COP31 conference. We hope this conference will deliver meaningful, balanced and ambitious outcomes, especially for the countries most vulnerable to climate change. Let us turn our commitments into reality. Let us strengthen global solidarity and build a sustainable future together.

The Prime Minister thanked the Turkish government for hosting the COP31 conference in Antalya and the Australian government for leading the negotiation process at the conference. He said, we all know that Bangladesh is on the front line of climate change. Yet our contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions is less than 0.5 percent. Despite these challenges, the Bangladesh government is committed to building a one-trillion-dollar climate-resilient and sustainable economy. Inspired by the philosophy of ‘Bangladesh First’, the government believes that economic growth and environmental protection must go hand in hand. We must protect nature in our industrialization and development process and maintain environmental balance.

The Prime Minister said the government elected by the people's vote has set a target of meeting 20 percent of electricity demand from renewable sources by 2030. We have taken this step to achieve ‘net zero’ emissions in line with the Paris Agreement. With incentives in particular, we are working to produce 4,000 megawatts of solar power. We are also encouraging initiatives to produce fuel from waste.

He further said the Bangladesh government is encouraging green industries, including nearly 300 LEED-certified readymade garment factories. The government is advancing environmentally friendly transport systems, including electric vehicles. We are expanding environmentally friendly products such as jute bags. We are also creating a national framework for carbon trading.

The Prime Minister said the government plans to plant 250 million trees over the next five years. To protect our environment, we are implementing the Padma Barrage and Teesta Barrage master plans as well as excavating 20,000 kilometers of rivers and canals, with the aim of retaining water, reducing flood risk, reviving wetlands and raising groundwater levels. We are restoring mangroves on coastal reclaimed land to protect communities and strengthen climate resilience.