Monday, May 21, 2012

Bangladesh set to take the reins at Rio+20

Naimul Haq in IPS: Experts believe that the upcoming United Nations Earth Summit, Rio+ 20, scheduled to take place in Brazil from Jun.20-22, could be a real opportunity for Bangladesh to negotiate a road to sustainable development.

The conference on sustainable development, which depends largely on states coming to a consensus on an effective transition to a green economy, requires significant investment in renewable energy, the efficient use of natural resources, research and innovative technologies.

As a nation Bangladesh is one of the worst victims of climate change. The country’s move towards sustainability requires huge financial support to overcome the damages it continues to suffer from global warming.  Bangladesh has both the will and leadership to initiate dialogue for action but its biggest challenge at the conference will be to force leaders of the wealthy nations to recognise its potential.

In conversations with IPS, politicians, policy makers, economists and environmental activists said that Bangladesh has a strong hand to show at the Rio+20 negotiating table. ...Bangladesh State Minister for Environment & Forests, Hasan Mahmud, told IPS, "(Despite) being an LDC, Bangladesh is still in a good position in terms of achieving some of the MDGs."...

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