Paris deal implementation must to save lives of millions: Sheikh Hasina

Dhaka [Bangladesh], Nov. 16 (ANI): Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said implementation of the Paris Agreement is a must to save the lives of millions of people. "The lives and livelihoods of millions of people would continue to be at risk unless we deliver on our commitments on climate change issues," the Dhaka Tribune quoted Hasina, as saying. She also said that Bangladesh was one of the first countries to sign and ratify the Paris Agreement. The Prime Minister made the statement at the high-level segments of the 22nd Conference of the Parties (COP 22) in Marrakech, Morocco on Tuesday night. Hasina said that the Marrakech climate conference holds special importance as agreement signed last year in Paris is expected to be enforced this year. Asserting that the Paris Agreement successfully creates a solid ground for meaningful cooperation in combating climate change, she said, "Now, this is the time to move forward to implement decisions into actions." Hasina said, "We must be prepared to share equitable burden to fulfill our promises of making the world a safer and better place for our future generation. The Prime Minister said that the objectives of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) would never be achieved unless we address this challenge of climate-induced migrant issue appropriately. Hasina urged all to join hands in consolidating the global partnership to fight against the dangerous threats of climate change. Stating that Bangladesh is also the first country to set up a "Climate Change Trust Fund" of USD 400 million from its own resources, Hasina said, "Bangladesh also achieved success in disaster management despite its coastal areas being highly vulnerable to climate-related calamities such as floods and cyclones." Hasina, who is also a member of the UN High Level Panel on Water, said her government is committed to the action plan endorsed by the panel in New York last September. Laying importance on water security, she said, "We must ensure safe drinking water and sanitation for all through effective water governance." Hasina is on a three-day tour to attend the high-level segments of the COP 22, joined the inaugural session of the conference along with other heads of state and government on Tuesday morning. Earlier, the heads of states were received by the King of Morocco Mohammed VI, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon,UNFCC Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa and COP 22 President Salaheddine Mezouar. Sheikh Hasina who is on a three-day official visit to attend the COP 22 arrived here on Monday afternoon. A 58-member delegation is being led by the Bangladesh Prime Minister The three-day high-level segments of COP 22 of the United Nation Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) are being held in Morocco's former imperial city of Marrakech.(ANI)