DHAKA, Oct 20, 2024 (BSS) - Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser 
Syeda Rizwana Hasan today stressed the need for fair and transparent climate 
finance system to prevent vulnerable countries from falling into debt traps. 

She said climate finance must be rooted in justice, ensuring countries like 
Bangladesh are not burdened with unfair loans while addressing a crisis they 
did not cause.

The international community must recognise the necessity of grants, not just 
loans, to support adaptation and mitigation efforts, she added.

The Environment Adviser made these remarks at a National Dialogue on "Climate 
Justice in Climate Finance: Climate Debt Trap Risks for Bangladesh and Other 
LDCs" held at CIRDAP Auditorium here. 

In her speech, Rizwana underscored the importance of stronger global 
commitments to address the historical responsibility of developed nations in 
contributing to climate change.

She urged industrialised countries to take responsibility and provide 
financial assistance in a manner that does not worsen the economic hardships 
of LDCs. 

The adviser said Bangladesh and other vulnerable nations are grappling with 
both environmental and economic crises, and climate finance must serve as a 
tool for empowerment, not exploitation.

Dr Munzurul Hannan Khan, Executive Director of Nature Conservation Management 
(NACOM), Md Rafiqul Islam, Managing Director of the Bangladesh Climate Change 
Trust (BCCT) and M Zakir Hossain Khan, Managing Director and Chief Executive 
of Change Initiative also spoke.

The event gathered experts, policymakers and civil society representatives to 
discuss challenges and solutions regarding climate finance for developing 
nations. 

The dialogue focused on the increasing concerns surrounding the debt risks 
posed by international climate finance for Bangladesh and other Least 
Developed Countries (LDCs).