The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Speakers at a seminar yesterday opposed the World Bank's authority in the management of the multi-donor trust fund (MDTF) fund to deal with the climate change and called for reviewing it.

They were speaking at a seminar on "Climate Fund Management and World Bank" at the National Press Club yesterday.

The Equity and Justice Working Group (Equity BD) organised the seminar. Former Finance Minister Abul Mal Abdul Muhit was present the seminar as chief guest. Prof Tofail Ahmed presided over the seminar while Samsuzzuha, General Secretary of Equity BD presented the keynote paper at the seminar.

Muhit said that the developed countries should transfer their high power technology to third world nations for adaptation in climate change.

Muhit ,who is also a member of the Awami League Advisory Committee, said that the developed countries are responsible of excessive greenhouse gas emission. "Poor nations have been suffering from different diseases and disasters due to climate change by the activities of the developed countries," he added.

In his keynote paper Samsuzzuha said that Bangladesh should not accept the World Bank's authority to run the climate fund. "Countries like Bangladesh are now exposed to climate change phenomenon due to the wrong policies of the World Bank and other such international investment agencies," he said.

He pointed out that the government should declare transparent draft action plan to combat the climate change. "The draft action plan will have to be approved by the next elected government," he suggested.

"Bangladesh can form Public Commission Debt Assessment for measuring losses on climate change of the country. Besides, the country can also form a "Public Commission on Foreign Aid Utilisation" to utilise the foreign aid properly," Rezaul Karim Chowdhury of Equity BD said.

Fayez Hossain of Bangladesh Krishak Sangha said that the government should prepare a plan for facing the climate change.

Mirza Mohammed Azim, an NGO worker, urged the government that the authority should take areas basis action plan and policy for mitigation on climate change in the country.

Former MP Eng Md Shahiduzzaman, Ziaul Hoq Mokta of Oxfam, Rezaul Karim Chowdhury and Mostafa Kamal Md Samsuzzuha, Sarmin Kabir Bina, Jahed Iqbal Khan, among others, addressed the seminar.