Bangladeshi PM calls for formation of int'l committee on climate change

Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Thursday called for formation of an international committee under the UN supervision to oversee efforts of tackling the grim challenges of climate change and assisting and rehabilitating the victims.

The Prime Minister made the proposal while talking to visiting French Minister for Ecology, Sustainable Development and Planning Jean-Louis Borloo at her office, national news agency BSS reported.

Sheikh Hasina put emphasis on united global effort to tackle the challenges stemming from the calamitous climate change caused by excessive greenhouse gas emissions.

"Comprehensive measures have to be taken in a coordinated manner to face the possible global challenges, especially to save the poor countries going to be worst affected for no fault of their own," said the Prime Minister, who is vocal in various global forums for a coordinated global combat against the hazards of climate change.

She said as the worst victim of climate change, Bangladesh is taking preparations of its own to face the natural disequilibria and its adverse impact on its people.

In this context, she mentioned that Bangladesh has already undertaken an Action Plan with its own resources involving 100 million U.S. dollars to tackle the challenges of global warming, but it would not be sufficient to face the terrific impacts of the global climate change.

She said under the programs, capital and maintenance dredging, riverbank reclamation and creation of green belt in the coastal belt projects are being implemented to this end.

"Despite having a negligible contribution to global warming, Bangladesh is becoming the worst affected country compelled to undertake a huge preparation utilizing its own money and wealth against the calamity," she added.

Having a detailed discussion on the upcoming Copenhagen Climate Change Summit, Sheikh Hasina further called for international support to increase capacity of the worst affected countries including Bangladesh.

Source: Xinhua