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Rizwana for transparent climate finance to save vulnerable people from debt traps
DHAKA, Oct 20, 2024 (BSS) – Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser
Syeda Rizwana Hasan today stressed the need for fair and transparent climate
finance system to prevent vulnerable countries from falling into debt traps.
She said climate finance must be rooted in justice, ensuring countries like
Bangladesh are not burdened with unfair loans while addressing a crisis they
did not cause.
The international community must recognise the necessity of grants, not just
loans, to support adaptation and mitigation efforts, she added.
The Environment Adviser made these remarks at a National Dialogue on “Climate
Justice in Climate Finance: Climate Debt Trap Risks for Bangladesh and Other
LDCs” held at CIRDAP Auditorium here.
In her speech, Rizwana underscored the importance of stronger global
commitments to address the historical responsibility of developed nations in
contributing to climate change.
She urged industrialised countries to take responsibility and provide
financial assistance in a manner that does not worsen the economic hardships
of LDCs.
The adviser said Bangladesh and other vulnerable nations are grappling with
both environmental and economic crises, and climate finance must serve as a
tool for empowerment, not exploitation.
Dr Munzurul Hannan Khan, Executive Director of Nature Conservation Management
(NACOM), Md Rafiqul Islam, Managing Director of the Bangladesh Climate Change
Trust (BCCT) and M Zakir Hossain Khan, Managing Director and Chief Executive
of Change Initiative also spoke.
The event gathered experts, policymakers and civil society representatives to
discuss challenges and solutions regarding climate finance for developing
nations.
The dialogue focused on the increasing concerns surrounding the debt risks
posed by international climate finance for Bangladesh and other Least
Developed Countries (LDCs).