UK minister lauds Bangladesh's role in climate awareness

Lauding Bangladesh's contribution in raising awareness about the impacts of climate change, a visiting British minister yesterday said the UK would support Bangladesh to help it play a critical role in the global arena to ensure positive outcomes from the Paris conference.

"Bangladesh has played a critical role raising awareness of the impacts of climate change on the poorest people and has provided a strong voice to encourage developing countries to argue their corner," said UK Minister of State for International Development Desmond Swayne, who arrived yesterday on a three-day visit.

He made the remarks during his meeting with Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali at the foreign ministry.

The British minister looks forward to seeing Bangladesh further demonstrate its leadership on this issue by publishing its national plan to reduce carbon emissions soon, according to a British High Commission press release.

The two ministers discussed ways of strengthening commercial ties between the two countries as well as the importance of working together globally in the lead up to events such as December's conference on climate change in Paris.

Later, the UK minister called on Finance Minister AMA Muhith and discussed development and UK-funded projects.

Earlier in the day, Swayne visited a garment factory in Dhaka and the Korail slum in Banani.

He is scheduled to visit UK-funded projects in char areas of Rangpur and Kurigram districts today.

On Tuesday, the British official is expected to call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and talk to the press before leaving the country.