Bangladesh elected to chair Climate Vulnerable Forum

DHAKA: Bangladesh was elected to chair Climate Vulnerable Forum at its Dhaka meet that concluded Monday adopting a 14-point declaration articulating the member-countries’ determination to stand indivisible to act to face causes, consequences and collateral effects of perilous climate change.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon made a clarion call from the gathering for world leaders, either of developed or underdeveloped countries, to unite to face the climate-change challenges and save the planet for the common good.

Representatives from 18 nations meet in Bangladesh in the two-day international conference of Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) to formulate and issue the declaration before next UN climate conference in Durban.

The Climate Vulnerable Forum convened in Bangladesh for countries worried about the threat of climate change for no or little fault of their own.

Speaking at the forum in Dhaka, the UN secretary-general urged world nations to consider ways to fund a $100bn green climate fund created last year to help at-risk countries cope with global warming.

He said, “Governments must find ways now to mobilize resources up to the $100 billion per annum pledged.” "An empty shell is not sufficient.”

The victim countries reiterated firm resolve to work collectively with the other Parties to the UNFCCC towards limiting foreseeable global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, peaking global GHG emissions by 2015, in consistent with science.

Briefing reporters on the conclusion of the two-day meeting of the Forum, State Minister for Environment and Forests Dr Hasan Mahmud said, "We have decided to raise our voice together on various contentious issues in Durban".

He added: “We want end of the confusion over the release of fast start fund of US$ 30 billion, balanced allocation of the Green Climate Fund, second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol, and decision about the displaced people.”

Foreign Minister of the Maldives Ahmed Naseem, Environment Minister of Nepal Hemraj Tater and Agriculture and Forest Minister of Bhutan Dr Lynopo Prema Gyamtsho also spoke on the occasion.

Bangladesh`s Foreign Secretary M Mijarul Quayes, Environment Secretary Meshbah Ul Alam and Director-General of DARA Rose Mountain were present.

The declaration says climate change-induced displacement of people has additionally become a major concern and their relocation and rehabilitation are putting enormous pressure on infrastructures and service facilities, and causing tremendous social stresses.

It said migration is a viable adaptation strategy to manage risks during displacement and relocation and affected population should be offered with enhanced options to dignified and diversified livelihood.

Despite their negligible present and historical contribution to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the principal cause of climate change, the CVF countries expressed their determination to pursue national green development pathways in spite of their limited capacities.

They also reaffirmed their commitment to achieve the objectives and principles of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and to enable its full, effective and sustained implementation through immediate and long-term cooperative action.

The CVF called for extensive and inclusive cooperation by all countries in accordance with common but differentiated responsibilities, historical responsibility, and respective capabilities.

The Forum expressed deep concern over the independent study of the Climate Vulnerability Monitor-2010 on current and near- term socio-economic impacts of climate change and large-scale worldwide crisis.

It noted that climate change is rendering development projects costlier and compelling diversion of already inadequate funds for development programmes to undertake costly adaptation programmes.
The next meeting of the Forum will be held in Costa Rica.

BDST: 2005 HRS, NOV 14, 2011