Statement by H. E. Sheikh Hasina, Hon. Prime Minister of Bangladesh at the UN Climate Summit Round-‐table
(New York, 23 Sept. 2014)
Mr. Chair,
In recent years, Bangladesh has undertaken significant steps. We now have 3.2 million Solar Home Systems, over 1.5 million Improved Cook Stoves across Bangladesh. We have developed stress-‐tolerant crop varieties; and implemented Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan. Though we are a climate-‐ vulnerable LDC, we allocated 385 million US dollars from our own resources, for adaptation and mitigation.
Yet, climate change continues to affect the lives and livelihoods of millions in our unique and active delta. Frequency and intensity of flooding, storm surge, salinity intrusion are badly affecting our coastal habitat. Climate change may threaten our wheat and major rice crop (Boro) production. In addition, many people may have to move out, changing their traditional living and livelihoods. Studies suggest that 2 to 3 percent of our GDP may be wiped out because of climate change.
Mr. Chair,
Let me make a few specific points.
-‐ ‘Adaptation’ and ‘loss and damage’ are crucial for sustainable development. Critical balance between adaptation and mitigation will have to be maintained. Also, support for finance and technology transfer must get priority.
-‐ ‘Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs)’ must be measurable and verifiable. We all need to pay attention to ‘Carbon budgeting’ and ‘de-‐carbonization’. We are working on possible INDCs. But, new and additional resources will be needed for their implementation.
-‐ Private ‘climate finance’ can only be complementary, and for mitigation. Green Climate Fund needs to take those into account, particularly for countries like Bangladesh. Robust and early capitalization of GCF is crucial. ‘Adaptation’ is key for us. The developed countries must match our own contributions and efforts Support to ‘capacity building’ and ‘development of adaptive technologies’are important. For LDCs, IPR must be facilitated. LDCs need access to ‘life saving technologies’. We have also gathered experience in adapting to climate change over decades. We are ready to share our modest experience on climate resilience with rest of the world.
Let me again assure this Summit: Bangladesh will never exceed the average per capita emission of the developing world. The large emitting countries should reciprocate our voluntary commitments.
I thank you.