UK, France, Germany’s joint climate diplomacy in BD

Consulates of UK, France and Germany have visited three climate adaptation projects in Dhamrai of Dhaka to emphasise on joint climate diplomacy in Bangladesh.

British High Commissioner Robert W Gibson, French Chargé Babou Kamichetty and German Chargé Dr Ferdinand von Weyhe visited Dhamrai on Monday.

They visited a solar home system, solar irrigation systems and a domestic biogas and manure national programme providing gas for cooking.

They saw for themselves the impact climate change is already having here in Bangladesh and how some of its effects can be mitigated, and emphasised the importance of an international agreement to tackle climate change.

Mr Gibson said, “The projects we saw today, funded by the UK, Germany and others, are helping some of the most vulnerable people in Bangladesh to adapt to the impacts of climate change.”

“Such a global issue needs a global response, with all countries working towards a legally binding international agreement under the UN framework. To this end the UK will continue to work with our German, French and other international partners, including the government of Bangladesh, as well as with the civil society,” he said.

Dr von Weyhe added, “Our visit to Dhamrai today is a strong symbol of both our mutual co-operation on climate change and our desire to support Bangladesh and the Bangladeshi people to adapt to climate change in urban areas.”

Summing up Mr Kamichetty commented, “The French Development Agency was given a specific mandate to fund projects promoting green and inclusive growth, and France is working closely with the UK, Germany and other partners to address adaptation and mitigation in a co-ordinated manner. Climate change is a top priority for the French government at home and abroad, and France also has a specific responsibility as COP President.

“We stand ready to listen to all our partners, and are especially keen to work with our developing country partners such as Bangladesh. The coming months will be crucial to achieving a balanced global agreement in Paris in 2015; we hope that all countries will be represented at the highest possible level at the UN Secretary General’s Climate Summit this September, and encourage all countries to communicate their contribution to the new global agreement as soon as possible,” he added.

Bangladesh is one of the most climate vulnerable countries in the world. Floods, tropical cyclones, storm surges and droughts are likely to become more frequent and severe.

These changes will threaten the achievements Bangladesh has made in reducing poverty and make it more difficult to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. In partnership with the Bangladesh government and civil society, France, Germany and the UK are working together to address the impacts.