Environment and Forests Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Sunday said Bangladesh has been suffering the brunt of climate change impact where the country is not at all only responsible for this.
As there will be 22 crore people in the country by 2050, then international community or United Nations should have to take responsibility of the food security of Bangladesh as well as other hungry people of the world, he said while addressing a seminar as the chief guest.
EquityBD (Equity and Justice Working Group Bangladesh), a network of civil society rights groups, organised the seminar titled ‘MDG and Post 2015 UN Development Agenda: Inequalities and Redistributive Justice’ held at the National Press Club in the city.
Moderated by Rezaul Karim Chowdhury of EquityBD, the seminar was addressed, among others, by Ziaul Haque Mukta, Policy Manger of Oxfam Asia Region; Golam Mortoza, the Editor of weekly Shaptahik; Badrul Alam of Bangladesh Krishok Federation, Pragati Chakama of Bangladesh Indigenous People’s Network, Aminur Rasul af Unnayan Dhara and Mujibul Haque Munir of Article 19.
Barkat Ullah Maruf of EquityBD presented the keynote paper at the seminar.
Ziaul Haque Mukta of Oxfam proposed five more priorities along with food security agenda for post 2015 as follows addressing of inequalities within and inter states, internal resource mobilisation with progressive taxes, universal access in public services, global assistance in respect of climate adaptation for most vulnerable or least developed countries.
In his keynote paper, Barkat Ullah Maruf said there should be separate goals on controlling arms and military expenditure and debt cancellation of least developed countries.
He also expressed his concern on more debt creating instruments in future development assistance and supremacy of private investment.
Rezaul Karim Chowdhuy said Bangladesh’s proposal on post 2015 goal on food security and climate change compensation is the most appropriate.
As like in Asia Pacific Ministerial conference, international civil society delegates will support Bangladesh’s position in the upcoming UN General Assembly, he said, adding that Bangladesh delegation should have more interactive to civil society and media in this regard.
Source: UNBConnect
