PM flies to Morocco for COP22 today

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina flies to Marrakech, Morocco, today to attend the United Nations Climate Change Conference, known as COP22, which already started just days after the landmark Paris Agreement entered into force and has been ratified by 109 countries, including Bangladesh.

Diplomatic sources say the conference brings a ray of hope and legitimate aspirations for everyone. Besides, Bangladesh's participation in a high-level segment of the conference also carries a special significance considering the country's “bold and leading role” in overcoming climate change challenges.

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“Bangladesh's participation in the 22nd session Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change [UNFCCC] led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will further boost our image at the global stage,” Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali told a news conference at his ministry yesterday.

The PM would lead a 58-member delegation that includes the foreign minister, Environment and Forest Minister Anwar Hossain Manju, Water Resources Minister Anisul Islam Mahmud, high officials, security personnel and media people.

Besides, Deputy Minister for Environment and Forest Abdullah Al Islam Jacob is leading a 29-member Bangladesh team to the summit, which began on November 7.

Bangladesh on September 21 handed over the “Instrument of Ratification” of the Paris Agreement to the United Nations -- being one of the first countries to ratify it. The foreign minister handed over the instrument to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon at the UN headquarters in New York.

Some 109 out of the 197 UN member states have so far ratified the Paris Agreement that came into force on November 4.

Bangladesh first created Climate Change Trust Fund worth $400 million with its own financing.

There is a high expectation for assistance on finance, technology and developing countries are expected to comment on the recently announced Roadmap to $100 billion during COP22, the diplomatic sources add.

Addressing the press conference, the foreign minister said Bangladesh's participation would help the country highlight its firm commitment to addressing climate change challenges, multifaceted successes and contributions to that end.

“I also believe the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Morocco will reach new heights through the conference,” he said, and added that some 56 heads of states and governments were attending the conference.

“This will provide us with the right platform to reiterate our commitments and negotiate towards achieving a robust, balanced and meaningful action plan to address climate change impacts under the framework of the Paris Agreement." 

He said Bangladesh was one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change adversities. “We have been playing a significant role in global climate change negotiations, including the adoption of the Paris Agreement.”

The prime minster is expected to attend a luncheon hosted by King Mohammed VI of Morocco and is also expected to have interactions with various world leaders during the summit.

A VVIP flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying the premier and her entourage is scheduled to depart Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport for Marrakech at 10:00am today.

She is scheduled to return home on November 16.