PM Tarique Rahman to Address COP31 Plenary Today, Pressing Bangladesh's Climate Justice Demands

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will address the high-level plenary session of the UN climate conference COP31 today, Thursday, presenting Bangladesh's demands and expectations in tackling the global challenge of climate change. In his speech at the conference in Antalya, Turkey, he will highlight climate justice, the historical responsibility of developed countries, climate finance, adaptation, and addressing loss and damage caused by climate change.

Separate bilateral meetings with the top leaders of several countries are also scheduled for the Prime Minister on the sidelines of the conference.

According to the programme published by the UN climate body UNFCCC, heads of state and government of different countries will speak at the plenary session today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. local time.

Earlier, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman arrived at the conference venue at 10:10 a.m. local time yesterday and was welcomed by the organisers. He was accompanied by his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman, Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintu, and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir.

Before the opening ceremony, the Prime Minister joined the 'Antalya Leaders Summit' at the venue's Leaders Lounge and exchanged greetings with heads of state and government and top representatives of international organisations from around the world, holding brief informal talks on matters of mutual interest.

Those who exchanged greetings with the Prime Minister included OIC Secretary General Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, London Mayor Sadiq Khan, Moldova's Prime Minister Vasile Tofan, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian, Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister Asad al-Shaibani, and Kuwait's Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. He also exchanged greetings with members of the Indonesian delegation.

The Prime Minister's speech will emphasise the historical responsibility of the countries responsible for climate change and establishing the fair rights of affected countries. Bangladesh's experience in achieving climate resilience and its initiatives to tackle climate impacts in South Asia and the wider Asian region will also be presented to world leaders.

Bangladesh does not want to act alone on climate change; it wants to carry on fund-related talks together with all affected countries. In particular, Bangladesh wants to move into a leadership position among the countries of the Global South.

On Tuesday evening, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The meeting discussed defence, investment, trade and energy cooperation between the two countries, and regional humanitarian issues including the Rohingya crisis. Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu said the Prime Minister stressed making defence cooperation deeper and more multi-dimensional, expanding cooperation in the defence sector alongside joint investment. He also raised the need for closer talks to increase bilateral trade and investment. Energy security and expanding cooperation in mineral resources were discussed, and the Prime Minister noted the significant opportunities for Turkish investment in Bangladesh's renewable energy sector.

On Wednesday night, the Prime Minister, together with his wife, also attended the state dinner hosted by Erdogan and First Lady Emine Erdogan in honour of the world leaders.

Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister on the sidelines. The two leaders sat down at 2:45 p.m. local time yesterday; strengthening bilateral relations, tackling the impacts of climate change, and mutual cooperation featured in the talks.

China's Vice President Han Zheng also held a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, at 4:30 p.m. yesterday on the sidelines of COP31 in Antalya. Chinese investment in Bangladesh and tackling climate change, among other matters of mutual interest, featured in the meeting. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir was present.