Dhaka seeks increased climate fund

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has highlighted the importance of enhanced funds for climate change mitigation and adaptation, reports UNB.

During his meeting with President of the 77th United Nations General Assembly, Csaba K?rösi, at the UN headquarters in New York on Friday, Momen also mentioned that the pledge of providing USD 100 billion funds per year should be materialised at the earliest.

The president of the UNGA expressed his support on this issue.

Regarding the Rohingya issue, the foreign minister highlighted steps taken by the Bangladesh government on various issues including Covid-19 management and providing education to Rohingya children in their own language.

Momen also conveyed his dissatisfaction as not a single Rohingya has been repatriated to Myanmar yet.

In response, the UNGA president commended Bangladesh's role in providing shelter and humanitarian assistance to the Rohingyas.

He also said that the crisis is unacceptable, according to the Bangladesh Mission in New York.

Csaba K?rösi applauded Bangladesh's remarkable leadership, productive engagement, and significant contribution in recent times to various United Nations endeavours.

At the outset of the meeting, Momen presented two proposals.

These are, to organise a high-level event on 'Review of the implementation of SDGs' and to take initiative to create a forum of the finance, foreign and development ministers of developing countries under South-South Cooperation.

The foreign minister expressed concern on the funding gaps in the implementation of SDG, particularly in view of the Covid -19 pandemic.

The proposed high-level event will bring an opportunity to review the progress made towards implementing SDGs and the way forward to meet the funding gaps, the FM added.

The foreign minister also mentioned that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh has been able to maintain a satisfactory GDP growth even amidst the pandemic.

Momen invited the UNGA president to visit Bangladesh at a convenient time.

During a meeting with the Under Secretary General of the United Nations Department of Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Foreign Minister Abdul Momen said that Bangladesh has always played a leading role in the United Nations Peace Operations and will continue to do this.