Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has stressed the need to strengthen climate financing, technological cooperation and international partnerships to address the impacts of climate change.

He highlighted these priorities during discussions with heads of state and government and representatives of international organisations at the Leaders’ Summit of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye.

The prime minister arrived at the Antalya Exhibition Centre at 10:10am local time on Wednesday. He was welcomed by COP31 President and Turkish Minister of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change Murat Kurum. Tarique Rahman later exchanged greetings and pleasantries with leaders from various countries at the Leaders’ Lounge.

Among the leaders he met were Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and Moldovan Prime Minister Vasile Tarlev.

He also exchanged greetings with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha.

The opening session of the Antalya Leaders’ Summit began at 12:15pm, attended by world leaders. The prime minister was accompanied by his wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman; Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman; Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo; and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir.

Deputy Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Hasan Shiplু said informal discussions with leaders at the Leaders’ Lounge covered various issues of mutual interest.

Meeting with Uzbekistan’s president

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman held a bilateral meeting with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on the sidelines of the climate conference.

The discussions focused on launching direct air connectivity between the two countries, simplifying visa procedures and strengthening bilateral relations. Mirziyoyev invited the prime minister to visit Uzbekistan, and Tarique Rahman indicated that he would consider making the visit sometime next year.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir disclosed the details at a press conference at the Bangladesh Pavilion in Antalya on Wednesday.

Meeting with China’s vice-president

Tarique Rahman also met Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng in Antalya on Wednesday. They discussed ways to further strengthen political and economic relations, with particular emphasis on increasing Chinese investment in energy, heavy industry, employment generation and infrastructure.

At the press conference, Humayun Kabir said the meeting covered potential Chinese investment in several projects in Bangladesh’s energy sector, including the establishment of floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs) for liquefied natural gas.

The two sides also discussed the possibility of developing a regional economic corridor linking Bangladesh, China and Myanmar, as well as China’s role in resolving the Rohingya crisis.

Kabir said Bangladesh had sought China’s cooperation in resolving the Rohingya crisis, adding that a sustainable solution would require coordinated international efforts alongside bilateral and multilateral initiatives.

Attends dinner hosted by Turkish president

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman attended a dinner hosted in honour of world leaders by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and First Lady Emine Erdoğan.

His wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman, accompanied him. During the dinner, the prime minister and his wife exchanged greetings with heads of state and government and their spouses from various countries.

The dinner was held in the Green Zone of the climate conference venue in Antalya.

Visits Bangladesh Pavilion

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman visited the Bangladesh Pavilion at the climate conference on Wednesday afternoon.

During the visit, he viewed environmentally friendly jute products displayed at the pavilion and observed presentations on various initiatives undertaken by Bangladesh to protect the environment.

He was welcomed by Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo, State Minister Sheikh Faridul Islam and Dr Saimum Parvez, the prime minister’s special assistant for environment, forest and climate change.

The prime minister viewed exhibitions showcasing Bangladesh’s initiatives in tree plantation, environmental conservation and addressing the impacts of climate change.

He also spoke with pavilion staff, asking about its activities, the products on display and ways to present Bangladesh’s climate initiatives to the international community. Relevant officials briefed him on the pavilion’s activities and exhibits.

Major opportunity to highlight Bangladesh’s demands

State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Sheikh Faridul Islam told Samakal that climate financing is one of Bangladesh’s key priorities at COP31.

Although Bangladesh contributes relatively little to global warming, it bears a substantial burden from the consequences of climate change, he said. Coastal areas, in particular, face rising sea levels, salinity intrusion, cyclones, floods and river erosion, requiring substantial financial resources and advanced technology to address.

Under these circumstances, Bangladesh needs the international community to fulfil its climate finance commitments, ensure adequate funding for adaptation initiatives and provide effective support to address climate-related losses and damage.

He said strengthening international cooperation on behalf of developing and climate-vulnerable countries had therefore become increasingly important.

Faridul Islam described the prime minister’s participation in COP31 as an important diplomatic opportunity to present Bangladesh’s demands before world leaders. Bilateral meetings and informal discussions with other countries could also open up new avenues for cooperation in climate action, technology and development, he added.

After visiting the Bangladesh Pavilion at COP31 on Wednesday, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed said climate-vulnerable countries needed grants, not loans, to address the impacts of climate change.

She said Bangladesh expected grant-based assistance from climate funds and that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman would highlight the issue at the conference’s high-level meetings. He would also present the damage Bangladesh has suffered because of climate change and the measures taken by the government to address its impacts, she added.

Dr Saimum Parvez, the prime minister’s special assistant for environment, forest and climate change and Deputy Party Head of Bangladesh’s delegation to COP31, told journalists that Bangladesh was not merely highlighting its own climate crisis at the conference but also seeking to lead efforts to uphold the rights of climate-vulnerable countries worldwide.

Although Bangladesh contributes very little to global carbon emissions, it faces extensive losses and damage from the adverse effects of climate change.

For this reason, Bangladesh is strongly advocating increased funding for adaptation, mitigation and loss and damage, he said.