Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Executive Committee Chairperson and Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury yesterday urged developed countries to work together to address the climate change issue in light of the Paris Agreement.

She made the call at the opening session of the 36th Small Branches Conference of the 63rd Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) -2017 at a city hotel.

Of the over 180 Branches of the CPA, forty-three are classified as “Small Branches” which are defined as jurisdictions having a population below 500,000 people.

The Speaker said climate change has changed the lifestyle of local people, and Bangladesh remains one of the most vulnerable countries in the world in terms of adverse impact of climate change.

She said small countries are more vulnerable to adverse impact of climate change than developed countries.

Shirin Sharmin said global attention as well as collaborative efforts must be made to deal with these challenges.

Pointing out that CPA has taken special initiatives to ensure young people's participation in parliamentary politics, the CPA chairperson said, “If young people are involved in politics they will play a role in law formulation and policy making.”

The Speaker said CPA has been also playing a role in ensuring gender equality and participation of women in all sectors. She said the association is working with small branches countries' to ensure practice of parliamentary democracy, poverty reduction and sustainable development.

Countries classified as small branches can facilitate sharing of experiences and develop strategies to strengthen their legislatures to make them more participatory, responsive and accountable, she said, adding that parliament has a role in combating corruption and parliaments of CPA have been working to ensure transparency of people's power, accountability and good governance.

Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury with delegates of the 36th Small Branches Conference of the 63rd Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC)-2017 at a hotel in the capital yesterday. Of the over 180 branches of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, 43 are classified as "Small Branches", which are defined as jurisdictions having populations below 500,000. Photo: collected

Earlier, CPA Small Branches chairperson Angelo Farrugia, also speaker of the parliament of Malta, said the small branches made a draft strategic plan for discussion at the 36th conference of the small branches.

“The plan includes climate change, youth participation in politics, good governance and gender equality.”

There was a colourful cultural programme focusing on environmental problem before the opening of the conference.