B'desh at forefront of global leadership in facing climate threats: EC

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The visiting delegation of the European Commission (EC) Sunday said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina with her timely and effective speech in the recent international conferences has brought herself and Bangladesh at the forefront of the global leadership regarding facing the climate change challenges, reports UNB.
Sheikh Hasina got the appreciation when a five-member delegation of the European Commission paid a courtesy call on her at the Prime Minister's Office Sunday.
The European Commission delegation comprised Nirj Deva (Member of European Parliament (MEP) from UK), Franzisca Keller (MEP from Germany), Noccolo Rinaldi (MEP from Italy), Jean Lambert (MEP from UK) and John Attard Montalto (MEP from Malta).
Prime Minister's Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad briefed journalists after the meeting.
The delegation members said Sheikh Hasina in the conferences has successfully identified the climate change risks and spelt out concrete suggestions for protecting the people from the natural calamities.
During the meeting, Sheikh Hasina reiterated her call for forming an international committee under the UN supervision to oversee the global warming impacts on the globe and expedite the rehabilitation of the climate change victims.
She said at present Bangladesh and some other countries are facing the wrath of global warming, but in near future many more countries would be victims of the dire consequences of the global warming.
The Prime Minister sought EU support in next the Copenhagen climate meet for a new legal regime under UNFCCC Protocol ensuring social, cultural and economic rehabilitation of climate migrants and the establishment of an International Climate Adaptation Center in Bangladesh.
She also stressed the need for a united stand of the international community in the Copenhagen conference on various matters including fund for addressing the threats of the climate change.
As the European Commission delegation assured the Prime Minister of standing by Bangladesh and its people to face the climate change challenges, Hasina said the financial assistances on climate change issues must be distinct from all other funds.
She told the European Commission delegation that though her government took an action plan of 100 million dollar, the amount is meager in terms of the funds urgently needed to face the climate threats.
The action plan adopted by the Bangladesh government includes 15 development programmes including launching capital and maintenance dredging in the country's major rivers, she said.