The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

SAARC, one of the most venerable regions in the world to climate adversities, might be benefited the highest by showing respect to the problems of each other and making the forum as a potent platform to get due share of 'carbon credit' from developed countries.

SAARC member countries should come to an urgent agreement to ensure food security for their people, constitute one third of global population, considering the demand of food which according to the experts would be seriously be effected due to climate change.

Equity and Justice Working Group (EquityBD), a non- government advocacy forum working with a number of international organizations for sustainable development, said this at a press conference at Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) here on Sunday.

According to the leaders of the EquityBD the SAARC action plan adopted at the ministerial meeting last week in Dhaka to face the impacts of climate change has only reflected the vision of the bureaucracy, not of the people.

They praised the Bangladesh government's initiative for convening the SAARC environment ministers meeting at a very crucial time. But, the expectations of the people have reflected very little in the three-year action plan on climate change, they said.

The group urged the SAARC leaders to enrich the action plan by including the opinion of the people who are the main victims of the climate change at the upcoming SAARC summit in Colombo.

Convenor of the group Razaul Karim Chowdhury said, the SAARC itself has infrastructure problem to adapt 'peoples' voice'. But, as far as climate issues are concerned the SAARC leaders should weigh in the concerns of masses and civil society members like other international forums, he said.

EquityBD particularly gave emphasis on three key areas- firstly- ratification of the proposal for food security, secondly- easy migration of affected people, and thirdly- using SAARC as a regional forum to realize due share from the international funds created for adaptation, mitigation and technology transfer.

The EquityBD with some other forum like Jubilee South, LDC Watch and South Asia Association for Poverty Alleviation will urge SAARC leaders from "People SAARC" to be held in Colombo on July 18-20 preceding the Summit of the regional grouping to improve the Action Plan on Climate Change, he told the press conference.

Member of the group AHM Bazlur Rahman was present among others.