November 2, 2011

Source: Priyo News, Bangladesh

Ministers and representatives from 30 countries, most vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change, will gather in Dhaka on November 13-14, just ahead of UN climate talks in Durban (COP17).

The government is convening the unique global conference of the countries worst affected by the growing climate crisis.

The ministerial meeting of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) will see representatives from the vulnerable countries of Africa, Americas, Asia and the Pacific gather in the Bangladesh capital of Dhaka.

The delegates are expected to issue a declaration with united political calls from vulnerable countries for action by the industrialised nations and urgent support to limit increasing loss of human life and other damages. They are also expected to affirm their own determination to pursue green development and manifest moral leadership on low-carbon development.

In a statement, Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni said: “The absence of a clear will and concrete steps to reduce emissions puts our countries at the risk of peril. So, we must raise our voice together and demand accountability for inaction. While doing so, we, as the most affected, ought not to simply wait for international support. We must manifest our firm resolve to act, to the extent possible, autonomously and pursue green growth paths in our endeavours.”

The meeting is being organised with support from DARA, an international organisation that campaigns for vulnerable populations.

DARA Trustee and Former President of Costa Rica, Mr. José María Figueres said: “The CVF first spoke out in 2009, just prior to the UN climate conference at Copenhagen, when its leaders confronted us with one voice on the painful reality of our climate crisis.

They also outlined a compelling commitment of their own to lead the low-carbon transition. We’ve seen only cautious global progress since that time; emissions are still rising nearly everywhere. Countries at the front-line increasingly suffer from the impacts of climate change. We should be paying close attention to the Forum’s message, because with this particular challenge the fate of the world is firmly tied to the fate of its most vulnerable groups.”

The Forum’s Dhaka ministerial meeting, at the threshold of the Durban climate change talks, will provide a significant platform for the growing activities of the participant states, with global powers including China, the US and the UN taking part as observers.