Bangladesh called for stronger climate finance and technical support at a Türkiye summit, warning vulnerable nations face escalating climate risks despite contributing minimally to global emissions ahead of COP31.
Bangladesh called for greater global climate financing and technical support at an international summit in Türkiye ahead of the COP31 climate conference, warning that vulnerable nations are bearing the brunt of a crisis they did little to create.
The two-day event titled “Towards COP31 in Türkiye: Resilient Cities” was held on May 8 and 9 in Antalya, bringing together environment and climate ministers from several countries to discuss disaster-resilient and sustainable urban development.
Bangladesh was represented by Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo, while the opening session at the Museum Hotel in Hatay was led by Türkiye’s Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change Minister Murat Kurum.
Welcoming delegates, Kurum stressed the importance of building disaster-resilient and sustainable cities to confront the growing risks of climate change.
On the sidelines of the summit, Kurum held a bilateral meeting with Mintoo and sought Bangladesh’s views and recommendations regarding the upcoming COP31 conference and the proposed “Hatay Declaration.”
During the meeting, Kurum described Bangladesh as a friendly and brotherly nation to the international community and invited the Bangladeshi minister to attend COP31. He said Türkiye would pursue new initiatives with Bangladesh to address environmental development and climate risks.
In response, Mintoo thanked the Turkish government for the invitation and noted that hundreds of thousands of Bangladeshis currently live in Türkiye. He said Bangladeshis regard the Turkish people as a friendly nation.
Mintoo said Bangladesh contributes only 0.35 percent of global carbon emissions but remains among the countries most vulnerable to climate change. He warned that deforestation, rapid urbanisation and rising sea levels are increasingly threatening both the environment and public life in the country.
The minister said Bangladesh has faced climate-related challenges for years but has not received adequate international financial assistance in proportion to its needs.
He added that Bangladesh would present a special agenda at the upcoming COP31 summit aimed at ensuring necessary cooperation and financing for climate-vulnerable countries.
Mintoo also announced that Bangladesh would appoint focal persons ahead of COP31 to effectively present the country’s position, climate risks and financial support requirements at the international level.
Responding to a question during the event, the Bangladeshi minister highlighted the importance of financing for climate-resilient infrastructure and urban systems.
He said least-developed and developing countries contribute comparatively little to global greenhouse gas emissions yet suffer the most severe consequences of climate change.
Mintoo stressed the urgent need for effective climate funds and rapid disbursement mechanisms for vulnerable countries including Bangladesh. Alongside financial support, he said technical cooperation in climate-resilient infrastructure, technology use and skills development was equally important.
The summit’s panel discussion featured Mintoo alongside Gambian minister Rohey John Manjang, Syrian minister Mohammad Anjrani, World Bank Country Director in Türkiye Humberto Lopez and Iller Bank General Manager Eyup Karahan.
