Calls Grow for Unified Climate Diplomacy Before UNGA 81, COP31

Bangla Press Desk:  Climate experts, diplomats and civil society representatives have called for a clearer and stronger position for Bangladesh at the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81) and COP31, with international climate finance, the Loss and Damage Fund, a just transition, and gender-responsive policies prioritised to ensure climate justice.

Speaking at a discussion titled “Pursuing Climate Justice Through Climate Diplomacy” held at the CIRDAP Auditorium in Dhaka on Tuesday (15 September), speakers emphasised the need to turn pledged climate finance into real and accessible resources, while ensuring that such financing does not further increase the debt burden of climate-vulnerable countries.They also stressed the importance of ensuring a genuine and just transition by protecting workers and local communities, ensuring access to affordable clean technologies, and addressing the disproportionate impacts of climate change on women and children.

The dialogue was jointly organised by Waterkeepers Bangladesh, Association for Political Empowerment (APE), Brighters, and Center for Participatory Research and Development (CPRD), with Shocheton Foundation, OAB Foundation, Torongo Foundation, Youth Environment and Development Organization (YEDO), and Young Climate Action Network (YOUCAN) as co-organisers.

In her address as the chief guest, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said that ahead of UNGA 81 and COP31, Bangladesh would focus on four key priorities in its engagement with the international community: advancing the Loss and Damage Fund and climate funds from commitments to implementation; ensuring predictable, accessible and grant-based climate finance without increasing the debt burden; implementing a genuine just transition by protecting workers and communities and ensuring access to affordable clean technologies; and adopting gender-responsive policies that take into account the disproportionate impacts of climate change on women and children.

She further said that Bangladesh is moving forward not only by making demands internationally but also by taking responsibility at home. As part of this commitment, initiatives to excavate and re-excavate 20,000 kilometres of rivers and canals and plant 250 million trees over the next five years are being undertaken.

Former Professor of Patuakhali Science and Technology University and International Expert on Climate and Disaster Management, Professor Dr Mahmudul Hasan said that three issues need particular attention. First, Bangladesh’s existing commitments must be taken seriously and properly monitored. Second, all available decarbonisation technologies must be made accessible, and Bangladesh should not be subjected to pressure until necessary alternatives are available. Third, the country’s industries must be kept operational.Climate Negotiator of the LDCs Group, M Hafizul Islam Khan said that the initiative of a single ministry alone is not sufficient to address climate change. Effective climate diplomacy requires coordination among three key areas: leadership from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on diplomatic matters, leadership from the Ministry of Environment on technical issues, and a coordinated role from the Prime Minister’s Office.

Chairman of the Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS), Professor Dr Kamruzzaman Majumder said that Bangladesh is expected to clearly articulate its position at the United Nations General Assembly and subsequently at COP31 in Antalya.

He stressed the need for stronger coordination between the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs so that Bangladesh’s position can be directly and effectively presented on the global stage.

The dialogue underscored the importance of strengthening coordinated cooperation among the government, civil society, youth-led organisations and international partners to advance Bangladesh’s climate diplomacy.

Speakers emphasised that Bangladesh should not present itself internationally merely as a country seeking climate assistance, but as an active and strategic leader advocating for climate justice on the global stage.