Germany to increase support to BD in tackling climate change: envoy

Saleh Ahmed Husain: German Ambassador in Dhaka Achim Troster yesterday said Germany will increase its cooperation in tackling the impacts of climate change and in the ongoing development programmes in Bangladesh.
Referring to Bangladesh as a very close ally of Germany, the German envoy said this cooperation would be provided on the basis of mutual talks and expectations.
Troster said this while paying a courtesy call on Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry Md Shahab Uddin at the Secretariat here.
Appreciating the development and progress of Bangladesh and the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the German Ambassador said Germany would continue its cooperation through the Paris Climate Agreement and the Green Climate Fund.
Acting Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Iqbal Abdullah Harun and Additional Secretary of the Climate Change Wing Sanjay Kumar Bhowmik were present on the occasion.
Shahab Uddin said the German Ambassador that Bangladesh is playing a significant role in the international arena on climate change as the President of Climate Vulnerability Forum (CVF) and Vulnerable-20.
As the President of CVF, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has announced ‘Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan’ for overall prosperity, he said.
The environment minister hoped that the world leaders would reach a consensus on providing 100 billion dollars annually by rich countries to the climate vulnerable countries to help those tackle climate change impacts.
Shahab Uddin thanked BMZ and German development agency GIZ for cooperation in updating Bangladesh’s ‘Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan’ and assisting in forest management.
He also sought Germany’s cooperation in technology transfer, capacity building, renewable energy and implementation of adaptation activities in urban areas and in all sectors related to climate change.