Bangladesh to Seek Climate Grants at COP31 in Turkey

Bangladesh will urge developed countries to provide climate finance through grants rather than loans and take responsibility for their contributions to global carbon emissions at the upcoming COP31 climate summit in Antalya, Türkiye, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said on Monday.

Speaking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Shama said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman would make a brief visit to attend the conference’s two-day high-level sessions.

The prime minister is scheduled to participate in the World Leaders’ Summit on November 11–12, a senior official said.

Shama said details of the prime minister’s visit would be announced at a formal press conference ahead of his departure.

Bangladesh will highlight its achievements in climate resilience and its experience in addressing the effects of climate change across South Asia and the wider Asian region, she said. The country will also outline the support it needs to tackle future climate challenges, particularly access to grants instead of loans.

The state minister stressed that major carbon-emitting countries must accept responsibility and ensure accountability during climate negotiations.

“Although Bangladesh's contribution to global carbon emissions is almost negligible, we are ultimately among those suffering the consequences,” she said.

The government will also showcase initiatives taken over the past six months to address climate change and improve the environment, including canal excavation, tree-planting drives and greater emphasis on solar power and renewable energy, Shama said.

An inter-ministerial coordination meeting chaired by Shama last month reviewed Bangladesh’s preparations for the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31).

The meeting discussed Bangladesh’s priorities and concerns, the prime minister’s participation in the high-level sessions, and potential bilateral meetings and seminars at the country’s pavilions in the Blue and Green Zones.

Asked about the latest developments concerning the execution of two Bangladeshis in Saudi Arabia, Shama said the Bangladesh mission in the kingdom was maintaining regular communication with the relevant authorities.

“Communication with Saudi Arabia through our mission is continuing. We hope to receive some information from them soon. The process is underway. We hope to hear something from the Saudi government shortly,” she said.