The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Singapore

As climate change posed a new challenge to humanity, Dhaka proposed a five-point strategy to address looming security concerns from such non-traditional factors in the Asia-Pacific region.

"Non-traditional security concerns such as those incurred by poverty, disease, climate change and food scarcity are often overlooked and need to be stressed more," Foreign Adviser Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury said while proposing the strategy at a meet here yesterday.

The two-day conference on security and environment is being attended by Foreign and Defense Ministers of the region as well as of the UK and the USA.

The Foreign Adviser elaborated on the five imperatives: a balanced approach to climate-change debate emphasizing both mitigation and adaptation aspects; 'depoliticizing' the climate-change discussions and rewarding those who pollute less or not at all; the setting up of a 'technology transfer board' in any Post-Kyoto Agreement to facilitate eco-friendly policies by least developed countries; strong leadership by the UN, including the creation of the post of High Representative for Climate Change; and the establishment of an International Food Fund with 'special drawing rights' for poor countries.

He attended a luncheon given in honour of the participating Ministers by Singaporean Defense Minister Teo Chee Hean Saturday.

Dr. Iftekhar Chowdhury visited the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs Friday and called on Foreign Minister George Yeo.

He also made a formal call on Singapore Defense Minister Teo Chee Hean. He is scheduled to meet British Defense Minister Des Browne and Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohita Bogollogama on Sunday.