[Dhaka] November 09, 2014: Today six right group networks and two journalist fora on climate change, in a joint press conference held at National Press Club, criticised the present Environment Minister’s approach to climate change issues and appealed for the Prime Minister’s intervention in respect to the preparation for UNFCCC (United Nation Frame work for Climate Change Convention) CoP20 (Conference of Parties) to be held in Lima during December 1-12, 2014. They also urge the government to announce the preparation, position and participation process of the Lima climate conference as Bangladesh’s interest and leadership among the Least Developed Country Group track record might be jeopardised.

The press conference was organised by Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA), Bangladesh Climate Change Journalist Forum (BCJF), Bangladesh Indigenous People Network of Climate Change and Bio Diversity (BIPNetCCBD), Climate Change Development Forum (CCDF), Coastal Livelihood Environment Action Network (CLEAN), Campaign for Sustainable Rural Livelihood (CSRL), Forum for Environment Journalist in Bangladesh (FEJB) and Equity and Justice Working Group Bangladesh (EquityBD). Moderated by Rezaul Karim Chowdhury of EquityBD, the written statement was read by Kawser Rahman of BCJF on behalf of the group. Other speakers included Qumrul Islam Chowdhury of FEJB and a lead LDC (Least Development Country) Negotiator, Dr Abdul Matin of BAPA, Aminul Rasul Babul of Unnayan Dhara Trust and Mostafa Kamal Akanda of EquityBD.

The key demands of the statement included:

(i) The Ministry must announce written negotiation paper prior to the conference;

(ii) The Ministry must spell out transparency and participation of civil society and media in the negotiation process both in the country and abroad;

(iii) The negotiation team must uphold the interest of MVC (most vulnerable countries) and LDC (least developed countries), not submitting to the interest of advanced developing countries within the G77 +China group;

(iv) Bangladesh must propose an institutional framework , finance and its composition in respect of loss and damage (L&D) discourse;

(v) The delegation must propose separate peaking point of temperature raise different for developed, developing and LDCs;

(vi) The delegation should also negotiate for Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) should only be limited in respect of MVC and LDCs.

Qumrul Islam Chowhdury of FEJB in his address said, “Bangladesh has received very little from Fast Start Financing (FSF) in the last few years in respect to climate migrants and to demand anything the country must show some national mechanism in this regard.”

Dr Matin of BAPA said that the government must be serious on keeping past record of leadership of our Environment Ministry and the Minister in respect of Inclusiveness, Access and Transparency which put Bangladesh delegation in a leadership position. He has expressed worries on understanding of the present Minister and his bureaucrats in this regard and sought the Prime Minister’s intervention to save the past reputation of the country and its interest.

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For further information please contact: Rezaul Karim Chowdhury +8801711529792 or Mostafa Kamal Akanda +8801711455591