Jahangir Khan Babu from Antalya (Turkey) 

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called for five urgent global actions to confront the escalating climate crisis, demanding that at least 50 percent of international climate finance be allocated specifically to adaptation for the world’s most vulnerable nations.

Delivering his address at the high-level segment of the 31st UN Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Turkey, on Thursday, the prime minister emphasized that climate-vulnerable countries require grants rather than new loans, warning that mounting debt is pushing already strained economies deeper into crisis.

"Bangladesh contributes less than 0.5 percent to global greenhouse gas emissions, yet we sit on the frontlines of climate vulnerability," Tarique Rahman said, pointing out that cyclones, floods, river erosion, rising sea levels, salinity intrusion, and erratic rainfall continue to batter the country's agriculture, livelihoods, and economy. He noted that the existing global climate finance architecture fails to reflect the real priorities of developing nations, where heavy debt-servicing obligations and limited fiscal space severely hamper adaptation efforts.

Before world leaders in Antalya, the prime minister laid out five concrete proposals to ensure climate justice. First, he called for channeling at least half of all international climate finance into adaptation initiatives tailored to the specific needs and priorities of vulnerable countries, alongside sustained support for mitigation. Second, he urged the introduction of concrete debt relief mechanisms—such as climate-resilient debt clauses and debt-for-climate swaps—to ease the financial burden on climate-stressed nations. Third, he demanded equitable access to green and climate-resilient technologies for developing nations, backed by active technology transfer from the developed world. Fourth, he stressed the need to accelerate renewable energy adoption through affordable financing, capacity building, and a just transition that accounts for developing economies' realities. Fifth, he called on COP31 to adopt a "Belém-Antalya Action Mechanism," anchored in fair finance and equitable trade, to guarantee a truly just energy transition.

Reiterating the principle of "Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities," Tarique Rahman urged historically high-emitting nations to step up and fulfill their commitments.

Highlighting Bangladesh’s domestic roadmap, the prime minister announced that his government is working toward building a $1 trillion climate-resilient and sustainable economy. Guided by its "Bangladesh First" philosophy, the administration aims to balance rapid economic growth with environmental conservation. As part of this vision, Bangladesh has set a target to generate 20 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, including adding 4,000 megawatts of solar power through special tax incentives. Alongside establishing a national carbon trading framework, the government is actively promoting waste-to-energy projects, green industrialization, electric vehicles, and eco-friendly alternatives such as jute bags.

To bolster environmental protection and water management, Tarique Rahman outlined plans to plant 250 million trees over the next five years, implement master plans for the Padma and Teesta barrages, and excavate 20,000 kilometers of rivers and canals to enhance water retention, curb flood risks, restore wetlands, and recharge groundwater. He also highlighted initiatives to develop mangrove forests on reclaimed coastal lands to shield vulnerable communities and restore ecological balance.

Underscoring the vital role of women and youth in driving climate action, the prime minister called for creating decent green jobs while keeping global warming limited to the 1.5 degrees Celsius threshold. He expressed hope that COP31 would yield balanced, ambitious, and actionable outcomes that deliver tangible benefits to the nations bearing the brunt of climate change, urging global leaders to turn international pledges into concrete action for future generations.