Bangladesh has warned that sharp divisions over climate finance particularly on how to treat Article 9.1 of the Paris Agreement are slowing COP30 negotiations in Belém. Dhaka says delays threaten progress on adaptation, loss and damage, and a credible roadmap for the new finance goal.
Bangladesh on Monday warned that deepening divisions over climate finance are slowing already-fragile negotiations at COP30, as developing countries press for clearer commitments from wealthy nations on their legal obligations under the Paris Agreement.
At a mid-COP press briefing in Belém, senior Bangladeshi officials said talks are being held back by disagreements over whether Article 9.1, which requires developed countries to provide financial resources for mitigation and adaptation , should be listed as a separate agenda item.
“Parties have not reached consensus on even placing Article 9.1 as a standalone agenda item,” said Navid Shafiullah, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Environment and Deputy Head of the delegation. He described the hesitation as part of broader efforts “to dilute developed-country responsibilities.”
Ziaul Haque, Additional Director General of the Department of Environment, later clarified that Bangladesh was not accusing any country of blocking the substance of Article 9.1. “The question is whether we need a separate agenda item. There is divergence on this,” he said.
Officials said the deadlock is overshadowing other critical negotiation tracks, including the Loss and Damage Fund and the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA).
A.K.M. Sohel from the Economic Relations Division recalled that COP29 agreed on roughly USD 300 billion in annual climate finance, but developing countries are still negotiating the roadmap toward the proposed USD 1.3 trillion goal. “Bangladesh is optimistic we will get there,” he said. “We want a dedicated discussion.”
Dhaka used the briefing to outline its priorities for the second week of talks: a clear path to implementing the new finance goal, tripling global adaptation finance to USD 120 billion by 2030, and ensuring that support arrives mainly as grants rather than loans.
“Loans for adaptation only deepen the vulnerability of frontline countries,” Shafiullah warned, calling for predictable, country-aligned adaptation finance that prioritises LDCs and small island states.
On the GGA, Bangladesh cautioned that the process risks becoming ineffective without measurable indicators, baselines and monitoring frameworks. After three years of negotiations, officials said COP30 must adopt the goal, targets and implementation system through CMA7, with financing discussions continuing in later sessions.
Bangladesh also pushed for a stronger and more accessible Loss and Damage Fund, with faster disbursement and direct national access. Support, officials said, must reach affected communities “when they need it most, not years later.”
On mitigation, Dhaka pointed to persistent disagreements around referencing the 1.5°C limit, the role of the IPCC and the future of the mitigation work programme. “We cannot negotiate with science,” Shafiullah said, insisting that 1.5°C remain central.
Looking ahead, the delegation said it expects COP30 to deliver a credible finance roadmap, an implementable GGA, and a just transition framework that protects vulnerable workers and communities.
