Statement by CVF Presidency Outgoing Chair, H.E. Sheikh Hasina, MP Hon’ble Prime Minister

Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) Presidency Handover Ceremony

Address by H.E. Sheikh Hasina, MP

Hon’ble Prime Minister, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh

25 May 2022

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim

Hon’ble Mr. President,

Excellencies,

Dear friends and colleagues,

Assalamu Alaikum.

Bangladesh took over the Presidency of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) in 2020 for the second time. We managed to steer the Forum’s work through the COVID-19 pandemic. We feel relieved that we could achieve most of our objectives and more.

It is with great pleasure Bangladesh passes on the CVF Presidency to Ghana. I thank President Nana Akufo-Addo for his kind presence on this occasion.

CVF is now a significant presence in the international climate setting. It has emerged as the legitimate voice for countries most affected by climate change.  The rise in CVF membership is a proof of that.

From the outset, our Presidency remained focused on COP26 outcomes. Despite the pandemic, we held the world’s attention to the climate crisis. We launched the Midnight Survival Deadline for countries to raise their climate ambitions. We urged them to submit their NDCs by 31 December 2020. Some 70 nations responded to our call.

We also created the CVF-V20 Joint Multi-Donor Fund to support members in their climate action. Bangladesh and Marshall Islands provided the seed funding. In 2021, we held the Climate Vulnerables’ Finance Summit. It pressed for a Delivery Plan for the 100 billion US dollar climate finance in the next five years. We got it realized in Glasgow.

The Dhaka-Glasgow Declaration is a summary of CVF’s core demands and commitments. We renewed our call for high-emitting countries to keep the 1.5°C (Celsius) pledge alive and raise their climate ambitions annually. We secured commitment for increased adaptation financing and international dialogue on loss and damage.

We are proud of the work done by our five Thematic Ambassadors appointed during our term. We have high hopes from the mandate-holder for climate change and human rights. We shall maintain our advocacy on displacement and migration caused by climate change. The CVF-V20 Parliamentary Group has a critical role to play in building public opinion for climate action.

I believe our Presidency’s most important legacy will be to shift the narrative from climate vulnerability to resilience and prosperity. In Bangladesh, we are developing our “Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan”. We believe it can provide a template for other vulnerable countries in their own context.

I am confident that CVF leadership will be in steady hands under President Akufo-Addo’s watch. As a member of the Troika, Bangladesh will continue to extend all necessary cooperation to Ghana. I fondly recall my personal engagements with the late Kofi Annan, former UN Secretary-General. I am sure he would have been happy to see this connection through CVF between Bangladesh and Ghana.

We are extremely grateful to CVF and GCA Secretariats for their tireless work during our Presidency. We acknowledge the trust reposed on us by our Troika members, Ethiopia and Marshall Islands. We owe it to the COP26 Presidency for giving sufficient space to CVF.

I appreciate the role played by my Cabinet colleagues and their respective Ministries. I also recognise the support given by some of our Members of Parliament and academic experts. I thank in particular my CVF Special Envoy for a job well done.

Excellencies,

1.5 billion people in CVF member countries are faced with climate emergencies. Despite the ongoing geo-political tension, we cannot allow the world to take away its attention from the looming climate crisis. The developed countries must deliver on their commitments on financing and technology under the Paris Agreement. Under Ghana’s leadership, we shall continue to press for our unmet demands with CVF’s trademark moral force and reasoned arguments.

I wish the Ghana Presidency all success!

I thank you.

Joi Bangla, Joi Bangabandhu

May Bangladesh live forever.

Statement by the CVF Presidency Outgoing Chair, H.E. Shiekh Hasina, MP, Hon’ble Prime Minister