Today saw the introduction of the Bangladesh-Denmark Joint Action Plan on the Sustainable and Green Framework Engagement.
The action plan was launched at the Bangladesh Secretariat here by Danish Minister for Development Cooperation and Global Climate Policy Dan Jrgensen and Bangladeshi Minister for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change Md. Shahab Uddin.
Saber Hossain Chowdhury, the chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on the environment, forests, and climate change ministry, as well as the special envoy to the prime minister for climate change, Winnie Estrup Petersen, the ambassador of Denmark to Bangladesh, Iqbal Abdullah Harun, and Sanjay Kumar Bhowmik were in attendance.
Speaking on the occasion, Shahab Uddin said the Joint Action Plan, signed on 9 June 2023 in Copenhagen at the High-level meeting between Bangladesh and Denmark, will facilitate Denmark’s further supporting the transition of Bangladesh to a low carbon pathway, resource-efficient and transformation to circular economy.
He said according to this agreement, the two countries will work together to attain a sustainable and greener future with a focus on climate change adaptation and mitigation, environmental damage and loss of biodiversity in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Climate Agreement.
Shahab Uddin said the areas of collaboration will also include sustainable energy and energy efficiency, green transition in value chains, sustainable infrastructure including maritime infrastructure, ensuring greener industrial transformation, integrating water, environmental and cleaner technologies, supporting sustainable and just development.
The action plan will be reviewed whenever deemed necessary, he said.
The minister also said: “We would like to work together with Denmark towards unlocking the promised US$ 100 billion by developed countries, with a 50:50 balance between adaptation and mitigation finance and early operationalisation of the Loss and Damage fund”.
Denmark, according to him, may assist Bangladesh in implementing its National Adaptation Plan, Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan, and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) by providing financial and technical support.
“We also look forward to pragmatic discussions and steps at the Global Stock to take place at COP-28 this year. We call upon the developed economies to speed up to their commitments on climate financing under the Paris Agreement,” Shahab Uddin added.
