ISTANBUL, Türkiye: Bangladesh will press for predictable, adequate and easily accessible climate finance, prioritising grants over loans, as it prepares to advance its climate and energy priorities at the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31).
The country will also call for simplified procedures for accessing international climate funds, arguing that complex application requirements and lengthy approval processes often delay financial assistance to climate-vulnerable nations.
Bangladesh considers grant-based financing essential to addressing the growing costs of climate change without adding further pressure to its public debt.
Adaptation and resilience will feature prominently in the country’s negotiating agenda, with particular attention to vulnerable communities in coastal districts, haor wetlands, river islands and drought-prone areas.
Dhaka will seek financial, technological and capacity-building support to implement its National Adaptation Plan and advance the Global Goal on Adaptation.
Priority areas include water and food security, public health, livelihood protection, early-warning systems and locally led adaptation initiatives.
The country will also highlight the need for greater international investment in renewable energy, energy efficiency, cleaner industries and sustainable transport as part of a just transition towards a low-carbon economy.
Bangladesh will argue that the shift to cleaner energy must remain affordable and inclusive, protecting workers’ rights while creating opportunities for skills development, social protection and decent employment, particularly for women and young people.
Conservation of forests, mangroves, wetlands and biodiversity will also form part of the country’s climate negotiating priorities.
According to the Environment Ministry, Bangladesh’s negotiating position has been developed in consultation with relevant ministries, government agencies and climate experts.
The delegation is expected to work closely with the Least Developed Countries (LDC) Group, the Group of 77 and other climate-vulnerable nations to strengthen collective demands on climate finance, adaptation and international cooperation.
Prime Minister to attend high-level segment
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to travel to Türkiye on November 10 to attend the high-level segment of COP31, Environment Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo said.
The Prime Minister is expected to remain in Antalya until the afternoon of November 12 before returning to Bangladesh.
His participation will provide an opportunity to raise the country’s climate vulnerabilities, financing requirements and development priorities at the highest political level.
COP31, running from November 9 to 20 in the Mediterranean city of Antalya, brings together world leaders, climate negotiators, policymakers, scientists, businesses and civil society representatives to discuss international responses to the climate crisis.
COP31 opens with focus on turning commitments into action
The opening day of COP31 is expected to set the tone for discussions on translating international climate commitments into practical action.
The conference’s Day One thematic programme will focus on strengthening health systems against growing climate risks, improving the resilience of farmers and rural communities, mobilising new sources of climate finance and increasing the participation of women and young people in transforming food and agricultural systems.
The opening ceremony, scheduled for 10am local time, will feature addresses by the COP31 President, the President of Negotiations and the UN Climate Change Executive Secretary.
The discussions come as developing countries continue to demand greater financial support from developed nations to address climate-related losses, strengthen adaptation and accelerate the transition to cleaner energy.
For Bangladesh, one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries, the central challenge is ensuring that international commitments translate into timely and accessible resources for communities facing the consequences of rising temperatures, extreme weather and environmental degradation.