Agriculture Minister Dr Abdur Razzaque has called upon the developed countries to come forward in establishing climate justice to sustain the agricultural production and food security by tackling the adverse effects of climate change.
He made the remarks while speaking at the first ministerial meeting of the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate or AIM for Climate at the World Expo in Dubai on Monday afternoon.
The meeting was hosted by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the United States (US).
Dr Razzaque said, “The 21st February, World Mother Language Day is being celebrated. The people of Bangladesh have sacrificed their lives for realizing the right to speak their mother tongue and also for the establishment of justice. On this day, I call upon the developed countries to work for the establishment of climate justice.”
“We call for the implementation of commitments for better production, better nutrition, better environment, and better life,” he mentioned.
Developed countries need to invest more in technology innovation to develop climate smart agriculture and food systems and co-operate with the developing countries, he added.
Dr Razzaque said, “Bangladesh has very little role to play in global climate change, but the country is one of the countries most affected by climate change. Our Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is leading the Climate Vulnerable Forum.”
He referred to the climate issue as a global emergency. In Bangladesh, the current government has been working tirelessly to tackle the effects of climate change, he said, adding that, the country that once had food shortages is now self-sufficient in food.
“Bangladesh wants to make agricultural production and sustainable food security through innovation of climate smart technology. As part of its move, the Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan and Delta Plan 2100 has been made,” he mentioned.
Bangladesh will work with other countries, including the UAE and the United States, to tackle climate change effects, the agriculture minister said.
