Dhaka, October 25, 2026 (V7N) – Chief Whip of the Jatiya Sangsad Md Nurul Islam Moni said Sunday that Bangladesh does not need sympathy or charity to tackle the devastating impacts of climate change, but deserves global climate justice from the international community.
"Despite contributing only 0.47 percent of global carbon emissions, Bangladesh is suffering some of the most severe impacts of climate change," he said.
Moni made the remarks while addressing a programme titled "Bangladesh at COP31: From National Priorities to Global Climate Action" as the chief guest at the LD Hall of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban in the capital. The Ajker Projonmo Forum (APF) organised the programme with support from the Young Climate Action Network.
The Chief Whip said rising salinity in river water was creating an acute shortage of safe drinking water in coastal areas, particularly in Barguna and Khulna, while affecting fisheries and agricultural resources. He said floods were washing away people's homes, paddy crops, livestock and homesteads every year, leaving ordinary people to bear the growing costs of climate change, according to a press release from the parliament secretariat.
"Bangladesh has never spread conflict around the world or manufactured weapons. Yet our ordinary people are paying the price for the historical carbon emissions of developed countries," he said.
Nurul Islam Moni stressed the need to remove unnecessary complexities in accessing climate finance, ensuring transparency and proper utilisation of funds, and delivering assistance directly to climate-affected people. He said climate finance should reach vulnerable communities without unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles, adding that accountability and transparency must guide the use of such funds.
Urging all stakeholders to raise Bangladesh's climate priorities and the united demands of young people at the upcoming COP31 conference, the Chief Whip said young people's collective role was crucial to securing the country's rightful claims in addressing climate change. He called for stronger international recognition of Bangladesh's legitimate rights in tackling climate-related losses and damage.
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Environment, Forest and Climate Change Dr Saimum Parvez, UNESCO Representative to Bangladesh Dr Susan Vize and UNDP Resident Representative in Bangladesh Sonali Dayaratne attended the programme, among others. Representatives of the organising bodies, youth representatives and media professionals were also present.
