June 21, 2012

Source: Daily Sun

Environment and Forests Minister Hasan Mahmud has urged the global leaders to help the disaster-prone countries cope with the adverse impacts of climate change with a view to ensuring sustainable development.

The minister made the call while addressing an event on the sidelines of Rio+20 Conference organised by Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) at Rio de Janeiro in Brazil on Tuesday, according to a message received in Dhaka Wednesday.

While delivering the presidential speech, Hasan said everyone now admits that all development activities ultimately go down the drain without ensuring sustainable development.

“At present, people do not look toward the future to meet their needs… So, the climate vulnerable counties have to be given priority to ensure sustainable development.”

Hasan Mahmud, also chairperson of CVF, said the planet, the only habitant of human being and other animals, is being exposed to threat gradually due to global climate change.

“People are struggling against the negative attitudes of nature and climate for lack of the sustainable development,” he said.

Moderated by Foreign secretary Mijarul Quayes, the event was addressed by Environment, Science and Technology Minister of Nepal Kashab Man Shakya, Environment Minister of Costa Rica René Castro, senior fellow of International Institute of Environment and Development Dr Saleemul Huq, director of Climate and Development Knowledge Network Ari Huhtala and director of UN Disaster Risk Reduction Helena Molin-Valdes. —UNB