Australia Hails Bangladesh as Key Climate Voice

During a courtesy meeting with Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday, Ambassador Tilley emphasized the importance of global cooperation in tackling the climate crisis. Both leaders agreed on the need for international partnerships, particularly in the areas of energy transition and climate action.

Tilley highlighted Australia’s ambitious energy goals, noting that renewable energy now constitutes 43% of the country's energy mix. Australia plans to increase this to 83% by 2030, primarily through solar and wind energy, underscoring its commitment to the global fight against climate change.

Foreign Secretary Uddin called for Australia’s support in the transfer of green technologies and the expansion of renewable energy initiatives in Bangladesh. He stressed the importance of swift and pragmatic actions on climate financing and urged global partners to uphold their responsibilities in this regard.

The Foreign Secretary also reaffirmed Bangladesh's strong commitment to the Paris Agreement, its leadership in the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF), and its adoption of the National Adaptation Plan (2022). He further emphasized the country’s commitment to achieving NetZero emissions, aligning with the Three Zero Theory proposed by Nobel laureate Prof. Muhammad Yunus.

In addition, Uddin urged the world’s largest carbon emitters to take their responsibility seriously across multilateral, regional, and bilateral forums. He also highlighted the urgent need for global attention to the devastating impacts of climate change on Bangladesh, including rising sea levels, increased salinity, and more frequent natural disasters. He appealed to Australia for support in climate financing and the transfer of green technologies to help mitigate these impacts.

Uddin also raised concerns about the environmental toll caused by the Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMNs) in Bangladesh, especially in the Cox’s Bazar and Teknaf areas, where deforestation and environmental degradation are rampant. He stressed the urgency of their early repatriation to Myanmar to alleviate these pressures on Bangladesh’s resources.

Ambassador Tilley expressed her appreciation for Bangladesh's leadership in climate adaptability and commended the country’s proactive approach to climate action. Her visit reinforced Australia’s commitment to collaborating on practical solutions to shared challenges, including community resilience and energy transition.

In addition to her meeting with the Foreign Secretary, Tilley participated in a panel discussion with Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser, and Martin Holtmann, IFC Country Head, and also met with Adviser Faruk-e-Azam.

Tilley is a key figure in Australia's international climate diplomacy, focusing on building partnerships with Pacific and Southeast Asian nations to address climate change.