State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam announced on Monday that Bangladesh will press developed countries at the upcoming COP31 climate summit to provide climate finance as grants rather than loans and to assume responsibility for global carbon emissions. The conference is scheduled to be held in Antalya, Turkey, from November 9 to 20.
Speaking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Shama stated that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will make a brief visit to attend the two-day high-level sessions of the conference. The prime minister is scheduled to participate in the World Leaders' Summit on November 11 and 12, according to a senior official.
Shama noted that the prime minister's visit will be formally announced ahead of the trip. She emphasized that Bangladesh intends to showcase its achievements in climate resilience and its experience in addressing climate change impacts across South Asia and the broader Asian region.
Highlighting the country's specific financial needs, the state minister stressed that climate finance must be delivered as grants rather than loans. She asserted that major carbon-emitting nations must take responsibility and ensure accountability during the ongoing climate negotiations.
Although Bangladesh contributes a negligible amount to global carbon emissions, the country remains among those suffering the most severe consequences, Shama stated. The government plans to highlight domestic initiatives undertaken by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman over the past six months to improve the environment and tackle climate change.
These domestic efforts include canal excavation, extensive tree plantation drives, and an increased emphasis on solar power and renewable energy sources. An inter-ministerial coordination meeting chaired by the state minister was held last month to review national preparations for the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change conference.
That preparatory meeting addressed the prime minister's participation, national priorities, and potential bilateral meetings and seminars to be hosted at Bangladesh's pavilions in the summit's Blue and Green Zones. Asked separately about the execution of two Bangladeshis in Saudi Arabia, Shama confirmed that the Bangladesh mission in the kingdom maintains regular communication with local authorities and expects updates shortly.
Why it matters
Bangladesh's demands at COP31 directly shape its international climate financing prospects and diplomatic negotiations for grant-based support.