US to continue supporting Bangladesh on tackling climate change impacts
US President Joe Biden's Climate Envoy John Kerry has assured Bangladesh of continued support and cooperation on tackling climate change impacts as he called Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen last evening.
Kerry recognised the extraordinary challenges faced by Bangladesh due to climate change and frequent natural disasters, while stating that the next COP 26 [UN conference on climate change] might be the world's last chance to hit the target of carbon emission. He assured US' firm engagement to achieve the goal, said a foreign ministry statement today.
Biden appointed Kerry as his special envoy on climate and signed executive order to rejoin the Paris Agreement. Previous President Donald Trump had withdrawn from the global deal.
US' return to the Paris Agreement generated high hopes of climate actions across the globe. Foreign Minister Momen recollected the vital contribution of Kerry towards the Paris Agreement and welcomed the decision of the US to return to the agreement.
Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable countries in terms of climate change and there are predictions over 25 million people in the country's coastal areas could be displaced with the one-meter sea level rise. Besides, extreme weather conditions will have devastating impacts on life and livelihood.
During the telephone call that lasted about half an hour, Foreign Minister Abdul Momen remembered the time tested US-Bangladesh relations and expressed the satisfaction of Bangladesh government for the appointment of Kerry as US Presidential Envoy.
John Kerry opined that many countries were not responsible enough when it came to adequate mitigation and adaptation issues and their part of contribution.
Both of them agreed to work closely at COP 26 to be held in UK this November, and other multilateral platforms.
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