PM Tarique Rahman to Deliver Keynote Address at COP-31 on November 12

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to deliver his keynote address at the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) on November 12. At the summit, Bangladesh will advocate for climate justice and demand proper compensation for countries affected by climate change. Newly appointed Foreign Secretary Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury shared these details on Monday (November 9) regarding the Prime Minister’s upcoming visit to Turkey to attend the conference.

The Foreign Secretary stated that the Prime Minister will be accompanied by his wife, Dr. Zubaida Rahman. Other members of the official delegation will include Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awwal Mintoo, two State Ministers for Foreign Affairs, and the Prime Minister’s Special Assistant for Environment and Forest Affairs.

He noted that Bangladesh’s primary objective at the summit will be to ensure fair compensation for nations suffering from the impacts of climate change. Although developed countries have long promised support for climate financing and loss-and-damage mitigation, Bangladesh will strongly push for the fulfillment of these commitments and the realization of climate justice during the conference.
During the visit, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with the President of Uzbekistan, high-ranking Chinese officials, and representatives of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). These discussions are expected to focus on international cooperation in addressing climate change and matters of mutual interest.

Meanwhile, when asked by journalists about the repatriation of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the Foreign Secretary stated that details on the matter will be shared at a later time.