Dhaka highlights the gap between climate funding commitments and the needs of vulnerable nations, with women and children among those facing disproportionate impacts.
Bangladesh will prioritise securing promised climate finance and grant-based support at the upcoming UN climate summit, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said on Saturday, warning that funding continues to fall short of vulnerable countries’ needs.
Speaking at a seminar at the CIRDAP auditorium in Dhaka, she said Bangladesh was among the countries most exposed to climate change, yet financial support pledged by developed nations was not arriving as expected.
“Bangladesh is among the countries most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Yet the financing pledged by developed countries to address climate-related damage is still falling short of expectations,” she said.
“On the other hand, the same reluctance is not seen when vast sums are spent on wars.”
Responding to journalists’ questions, the state minister said ensuring that international financing commitments translate into actual support would be a key priority for Bangladesh, with an emphasis on grants for those affected.
She highlighted the disproportionate impact of climate change on women and children, saying securing grant-based assistance for vulnerable people would be central to the country’s engagement at the summit.
The UN climate conference, COP31, will take place in Antalya, Türkiye, from November 9 to 20, bringing governments together for negotiations on the global response to climate change.
