Bangladesh
Sheikh Hasina | CVF Sheikh Hasina hands over CVF's leadership to Ghana
Own Correspondent, Dhaka, May 26: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has handed over the presidency of CVF to Ghana.
She handed over the charge in a virtual event from Ganobhaban on Wednesday (May 25) evening.
Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said that the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) has emerged as a legitimate voice for the affected countries during its leadership in Bangladesh. She also expressed relief at being able to work in the international arena on climate change despite the Corona pandemic.
Sheikh Hasina said CVF now has a significant presence in the international climate. Under the presidency of CVF Bangladesh, it has emerged as a legitimate voice for the countries most affected by the adverse effects of climate change. Proof of this is the increase in its membership in the presidency of Bangladesh. I hope that this will continue to put pressure on the developed countries to fulfill their commitments under the Paris Agreement.
She said, "I believe the most important responsibility of our presidency will be to transform risky issues from climate vulnerability to resilience and prosperity. In Bangladesh, we are developing our 'Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan'. We believe this could provide a direction for other risky countries in their own context."
Noting that 1.5 billion people in CVF member countries are facing a climate emergency, the Prime Minister said that despite the ongoing geopolitical tensions, we cannot allow the world to be distracted from the perceived climate crisis. Developed countries need to live up to their commitments under the Paris Agreement on financing and technology.
"Under Ghana's leadership, we will continue to push for the demands that have not been met with the CVF's trademark-moral strength and rational advice," she said.
Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh is very happy to hand over the CVF's presidency to Ghana. I would like to thank Ghana President Nana Akufo-Addo for his kind presence on this occasion. I wish the Ghanaian presidency overall success.
Mentioning that Bangladesh took over the presidency of CVF for the second time in 2020, she said, "We have been able to conduct the work of the forum even in the midst of Covid-19 pandemic. We feel relieved that we have achieved so much more than most of our purpose. From the beginning, our Presidency focused on the COP-26 results."
"Despite the pandemic, we have drawn the world's attention to the climate crisis," she said, adding that "we have introduced the Midnight Survival Deadline for countries to increase their climate ambitions."
