Dhaka, Oct 11 – Members of parliament and representatives of government and non-government yesterday recommended the formation of a high powered representative commission led by the Prime Minister to ensure good governance in climate change funding. Speaking at a roundtable on ‘Desired role of the Parliament Members for Enhancing Governance on Climate Finance in Bangladesh,’ they put emphasis on the need to bring about structural change in the Climate Change Trust Fund by amending the law to ensure of its transparency and accountability.
“There should be an effective watchdog to monitor as to the money allocated by the government from Climate Change Trust Fund is being spent properly. A powerful commission can be formed under the
supervision of the Prime Minister. Only then, the proper use of the Climate Change Trust Fund can be ensured,” said deputy speaker Advocate Fazle Rabbi Miah, MP.
He appreciated the Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina for her strong role to create world opinion in regards to determine the course of action in dealing with the impact of the climate change.
The deputy speaker, who addressed the roundtable as the chief guest, mentioned that Prime Minister is the only head of the government who had created a separate fund to deal with the impact of the climate change. Before the creation of the fund, Bangladesh had to depend on foreign assistance only, he added.
He mentioned that different developing countries like Bangladesh are become the victims of climate change due to the emission of carbons by the developed countries,” he said.
He alleged that the developed countries are not playing their due roles to fulfil their promises to provide financial grants to the affected countries. Thus, he called for taking a combined step in this regard.
Network on Climate Change in Bangladesh (NCC, B) organized the roundtable at IPD Seminar Room of Ministers’ Hostel of Jatiya Sangsad.
Chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on assurance vice chancellor Abdus Shahid, Awami League lawmaker Nabi Newaz, Jatiya Party lawmaker Begum Mehjabi Morshed and Workers Party lawmaker Advocate Tipu Sultan attend the meeting as special guests.
Mizanur Rahman Bijoy, coordinator of NCC, B made the keynote presentation while Tanjir Hossain of ActionAid, Md Shamsuddoha of CPRD, Mihir Biswas of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon, and journalists
Kawser Rahman and Nikhil Bhadra, among others also spoke on the occasion. – Staff Reporter
