Dhaka expresses concern about inadequate action of international community on the protection of persons displaced by climate change and associated disasters

The recently adopted UN General Assembly Resolution, requesting an advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the obligations of states with respect to climate change, recognizes the link between climate change and the displacement of affected persons, Bangladesh's Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen has said. 

He was speaking at a panel discussion organized by the IOM during its 2023 International Dialogue on Migration held at the United Nations Headquarters.

Referring to the extreme vulnerability of Bangladesh to climate change, Foreign Secretary Momen shared the various initiatives undertaken by the government of Bangladesh in addressing the impact of climate change including the Eighth Five Year Plan incorporating action points to address the environment, climate change adaptation and mitigation; establishment of a climate change trust fund; and launching of Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has also undertaken the biggest housing project for climate migrants in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, the Khurushkul Special Ashrayan Project, he added.

Expressing concern about inadequate action of the international community on the protection of persons displaced by climate change and associated disasters, he urged scaling up global actions, including climate financing.

In this context, he called on development partners to extend financial support for implementing the recently launched Bangladesh National Adaptation Plan 2023-2050.

Earlier, the foreign secretary held a bilateral meeting with Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for the Department of Peace Operations at the United Nations Headquarters. During the meeting Lacroix thanked the Bangladesh government for serving the UN peacekeeping operations as the top troops and police contributing country with dignity, sincerity and professionalism.

Foreign Secretary Momen requested the USG to appoint more officers from Bangladesh to the Department of Peace Operations.

In return, the USG assured to work more closely with Bangladesh in this regard.

Permanent Representative Muhammad Abdul Muhith accompanied Foreign Secretary Momen in the meeting.