‘Bangladesh best teacher in adapting to climate change’

Senior Correspondent: Former UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon regarded Bangladesh as the “best teacher” in adapting to climate change.

The former UN chief made the remark while addressing the inaugural session of the ‘Dhaka Meeting of the Global Commission on Adaptation’ at Hotel Intercontinental in Dhaka on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the event. Marshall Island President Dr Hilda Heine, World Bank CEO and Global Commission on Adaptation (GCA) co-chair Dr Kristaline Georgieva, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen and Environment, Forests and Climate Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin also spoke.

Thanking the Bangladesh leadership for wisely and effectively adapting to this climate change, Ban Ki-moon said, “Let’s all be inspired by the examples Bangladesh government and its people have shown in addressing climate change.”

Highly appreciating Bangladesh’s efforts, Ban Ki-moon said they are in Dhaka to learn from Bangladesh’s experiences and vision and send the message out across the world.

“….Bangladesh is thus the best teacher to learn from about adaptation,” said Ban Ki-moon.

Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable countries due to climate change.

Citing reports, Ban Ki-moon said some 17 percent of Bangladesh will go under water by 2050 if sea levels rise by just one metre.

Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, will also submerge if the sea levels rise a little bit, he added.

 

risingbd/Dhaka/July 10, 2019/Hasan/AI