The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed yesterday said the world community should come forward to address the challenges of climate change that made vulnerable the process of poverty alleviation in countries like Bangladesh.

"Poverty alleviation is a must for lasting peace and sustainable development", he said adding that the climate change is now a major issue for Bangladesh in this context.

Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed said this while the visiting Chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, Ole Danbolt Mjos paid a courtesy call on him at the Chief Adviser's office here.

Nobel laureate Professor Dr Mohammad Younus, Director of the Nobel Peace Center

Ms Bente Erichsen and Norwegian Ambassador to Bangladesh Ms Injebjorg Stofring were accompanying Ole Danbolt Mjos.

Secretary to the Chief Adviser's Office Kazi M Aminul Islam and Deputy Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser M Sarwar Alam were also present.

Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed called upon the forum of Nobel Committee to use its good office internationally to address more effectively the issue of climate change and poverty alleviation.

Dr Yunus put emphasis on fixing a time-frame and ascertain responsibilities of the international community to address the challenges of climate change. "It is not issue for tomorrow, rather it is for today" he asserted.

Referring to the Nobel Peace prize winning by Dr Mohammad Yunus and the Grameen Bank, the Chief Adviser said the whole nation celebrated this great event overwhelmingly throughout the country.

"Micro-credit during last two decades brought about a silent revolution in the country, raising the people's capability of tackling the aftermath of natural calamities," he added.

Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed said the Grameen Bank was established as per an act and both the government and non-government organisations could work together as their target of development is the same.

"We are the least responsible for the climate change but the worst sufferer of it," he said adding that Bangladesh needs huge financial assistance for implementing its adaptation strategy of development.

He urged the world community to take visible steps immediately in this regard as there are scientific evidences that global warming and climate changes have been causing repeated natural calamities.

Referring to the last years' two floods and super cyclone Sidr, the Chief Adviser said the extent of damage was less due to rapid steps undertaken by the government.

As a densely populated country, he said, Bangladesh needs more assistance from the international community to build its infrastructure to tackle such calamities in future.

"If you can not fight poverty, you can not win peace" Ole Danbolt Mjos said adding, Dr Yunus and Grameen Bank are ingredients of good work, making contribution to peace and fighting poverty.

He said micro-credit is functioning well in the developed Countries, where the poor people are also getting benefit from it.

"Bad climate has created negative impact on poverty alleviation programme and peace process," Ole Danbolt said adding, it should be faced globally now.

He appreciated the role of Grameen Bank in empowering women and providing them with the capacity negotiation in society.