Poverty alleviation a must for lasting peace: CA
Thursday, 17 July 2008
Chief Adviser (CA) Fakhruddin Ahmed Wednesday said poverty alleviation is a must for lasting peace and sustainable development, but global warming and climate change is a major factor in Bangladesh that casts adverse impacts on poverty, reports UNB.
The head of the caretaker government (CG) made the remark when visiting chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee Ole Danbolt Mjos made a courtesy call on him at the CA's office in the afternoon.
Fakhruddin said developing countries, particularly Bangladesh, are least responsible for climate change but worst sufferers from adversities stemming from climate change. He mentioned the two consecutive floods and powerful cyclone 'Sidr' that wrought havoc on the country last year.
He cited a prediction that a third of the landmass of Bangladesh might go under water following sea-level rise due to global warming, blamed on greenhouse gas emissions from the developed hemisphere of the world.
He said the government wants to advance by working with all, including private sector and non-governmental organisations, with the common objective of poverty alleviation and lasting peace.
The CA said adaptation and mitigation are being incorporated in the country's development strategy, which needs a lot of funds and resources. So, the world community, particularly rich countries, historically emitters of greenhouse gases, should come forward with contribution to the countries vulnerable to climate change.
He expressed the hope that the noble committee would make aware the world forums for contributing to vulnerable countries to minimize the adversities.
The Nobel Committee Chairman said bad climate newly added to poverty, which makes peace-and poverty- alleviation process risky.
"If you cannot fight poverty, you cannot win peace," he was quoted as saying.
Thanking the Nobel committee chairman for visiting Bangladesh, the CA said he can see for himself the activities of Grameen Bank, micro-credit and socioeconomic development.
Mjos said Nobel laureate Prof M Yunus and Grameen Bank are good ingredients for good things for Bangladesh that works for peace and fights against poverty.
The chairman said Grameen bank's role in women empowerment is remarkable.
The head of the caretaker government (CG) made the remark when visiting chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee Ole Danbolt Mjos made a courtesy call on him at the CA's office in the afternoon.
Fakhruddin said developing countries, particularly Bangladesh, are least responsible for climate change but worst sufferers from adversities stemming from climate change. He mentioned the two consecutive floods and powerful cyclone 'Sidr' that wrought havoc on the country last year.
He cited a prediction that a third of the landmass of Bangladesh might go under water following sea-level rise due to global warming, blamed on greenhouse gas emissions from the developed hemisphere of the world.
He said the government wants to advance by working with all, including private sector and non-governmental organisations, with the common objective of poverty alleviation and lasting peace.
The CA said adaptation and mitigation are being incorporated in the country's development strategy, which needs a lot of funds and resources. So, the world community, particularly rich countries, historically emitters of greenhouse gases, should come forward with contribution to the countries vulnerable to climate change.
He expressed the hope that the noble committee would make aware the world forums for contributing to vulnerable countries to minimize the adversities.
The Nobel Committee Chairman said bad climate newly added to poverty, which makes peace-and poverty- alleviation process risky.
"If you cannot fight poverty, you cannot win peace," he was quoted as saying.
Thanking the Nobel committee chairman for visiting Bangladesh, the CA said he can see for himself the activities of Grameen Bank, micro-credit and socioeconomic development.
Mjos said Nobel laureate Prof M Yunus and Grameen Bank are good ingredients for good things for Bangladesh that works for peace and fights against poverty.
The chairman said Grameen bank's role in women empowerment is remarkable.