Bangladesh is stepping up preparations to ensure more effective participation in the 31st UN Climate Change Conference (COP31), scheduled to be held in Antalya, Türkiye, from November 9 to 20.
Bangladesh plans to highlight a range of climate priorities at the conference, including climate vulnerability, the National Adaptation Plan, climate finance, loss and damage, renewable energy, carbon markets, nature-based solutions and community-led initiatives.
The preparations were discussed in detail at the second meeting of the COP31 Technical Coordination Committee held on Wednesday at the conference room of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
The meeting was chaired by Dr Fahmida Khanam, Acting Secretary of the ministry.
The meeting reviewed progress on several key areas, including determining Bangladesh’s position in international climate negotiations, finalising the country’s position paper, preparations for the Bangladesh Pavilion, side events and participation of the national delegation.
Bangladesh held the first meeting of the Technical Coordination Committee on September 6. At Wednesday’s meeting, the implementation status of decisions taken at the first meeting was reviewed, along with measures to strengthen coordination among relevant ministries, departments and agencies.
The meeting also reviewed progress in preparing Bangladesh’s draft position paper in line with the agenda of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The paper is being finalised after incorporating views from relevant ministries and experts.
Progress on technical reports and policy papers on a just transition, the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), regional cooperation and regional early warning systems was also discussed.
The meeting stressed the importance of strengthening engagement and coordination with the Least Developed Countries (LDC) group, developing countries and like-minded states to advance Bangladesh’s interests in the COP31 negotiations.
The possibility of developing joint positions on issues of common interest among Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan is also being examined.
Bangladesh plans to showcase its climate vulnerability and adaptation experiences at its pavilion at the conference venue. The pavilion will highlight the country’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0), National Adaptation Plan, climate finance, loss and damage, renewable energy, carbon markets, nature-based solutions and community-led initiatives.
Work is underway to finalise the pavilion’s design and branding, exhibition materials, side-event schedule and operational plans. The meeting also emphasised ensuring adequate representation of Bangladesh across different thematic areas of the formal climate negotiations.
As part of the preparations, the meeting reviewed the inclusion of new and young officials in the climate negotiation process, as well as logistical issues related to delegation registration, visas, transportation, accommodation and local coordination.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change formed a Technical Coordination Committee and three subcommittees on August 18 to coordinate preparations for COP31.
The three subcommittees are responsible for preparing the position paper, setting up the pavilion and organising side events, and providing logistical support.
Progress made by the three subcommittees was presented at Wednesday’s meeting. The meeting stressed the need to further strengthen COP31 preparations through coordinated participation of relevant ministries, departments, agencies and climate change experts.
As part of COP31, a World Leaders’ Summit is scheduled to take place on November 11 and 12.
