DHAKA, July 16, 2024 (BSS) - Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury has sought Japan's continued support in transforming Bangladesh to a green, sustainable and prosperous country through green investments and capacity-building.

"And technology transfer would be of crucial importance for us," he said during a bilateral meeting with Japan's State Minister of Environment Motome Takisawa in Bangladesh Permanent Mission to UN in New York on Monday, according to a message received here today.

The minister highlighted that Bangladesh is a solution oriented country and "our government is committed to building ourselves as champions or role models, not as victims".

He urged Japan to invest in materializing Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan (MCPP) as Bangladesh aims to transform its vulnerability to resilience and then to prosperity.

The minister sought Japan's support in meeting Bangladesh's methane reduction goals, as part of its upcoming NDC and the actions to reduce emissions.

He stressed the need for research, knowledge sharing and capacity building in the fields of environment, biodiversity, forests, and climate change.

Saber proposed that the cooperation between Japan and Bangladesh could be enhanced through the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) with a focus on capacity building under the Department of Environment.

Takisawa recognised Bangladesh's commitment to the environment and sustainability, demonstrated in its long-term initiatives like Delta Plan 2100.

He referred to existing cooperation between Bangladesh and Japan including through Asia Pacific Climate Change Adaptation Information Platform (AP-PLAT).

He also referred to the new technologies for waste management, which could be an important area of cooperation between Bangladesh and Japan.

During the meeting, they discussed the upcoming multilateral negotiations, like Conference of Parties to UN Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD), Framework Convention of Climate Change (UNFCCC), and UN Convention on Combating Desertification (UNCCD) as well as in the ongoing negotiations of the Plastic Treaty.

They also discussed the importance of aligning the position of both countries in matters of common concern.

The ministers expressed commitment to enhancing existing bilateral collaboration in combating climate change, waste management, disaster risk reduction and early warning system, among others.

They also agreed, in principle, to proceed with concluding a memorandum of cooperation to deepen Bangladesh-Japan relationship in the field of environment, sustainability and climate change.

Later, Saber Hossain held a meeting with the Convenor of Stop Ecocode Foundation and discussed positive developments in addressing large-scale environmental crimes and opportunities to improve the national legislations in this regard.

The environment minister is currently in New York on an official visit.

He earlier attended a UN meeting on waste management, and held bilateral meetings with Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations, Amina J Mohammed; Administrator of UNDP Achim Steiner; Head of UN Office of Sustainable Development Chun Kyoo Park, and other dignitaries.