Developed countries won’t heed us even if they talk about the damage to the environment: Former Chief Coordinator of SDGs to Sheik Hasina
Abul Kalam Azad, the former Chief Coordinator to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), said, “Most developed countries will continue developing.
However, developing countries like us cannot ask for anything for our environmental damage to them because of their development. They are not going to listen to us.”
On 22 May 2022, he said this while addressing a seminar on ‘Role of Law and Environmental Good Governance of Bangladesh in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Bangladesh’ at CIRDAP Auditorium in the capital. Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA), organized the seminar.
Abul Kalam Azad said, “A Vulnerable Parliamentary Forum has been formed with members from 55 countries to protect the environment.
It will protect the environment collectively. We passed the Bangladesh Power Reform Act, 2001 regarding this. “With the help of environmental specialists, we’ve developed a forum on all topics.”
Professor Mostafizur Rahman, convener of the Committee on Finance, Trade and Sustainable Development of BAPA, spoke and said, “We have been given the power to the Department of Environment, Bangladesh, for the sectioned against any environmental hazardous activities and pollution. River rights are human rights.”
Environmental protection also includes the general public, partners, and businesses. Mostafizur Rahman expressed hope that the recommendations of this seminar are very realistic.
These will reach the implementing agencies of the government, and they will implement these in the interest of the country’s environment.
The keynote address was delivered by Mohammad Golam Sarwar, Assistant Professor, Department of Law, Dhaka University. He said that environmental governance is considered important for environmental protection, promoting the right to live in a healthy environment, and achieving SDGs. Highlighting the importance of environmental governance, he also said that it would enhance the proper application of the law and promote a sustainable environment.
KM Nurul Huda, Executive Member of BAPA and former Chief Election Commissioner of Bangladesh said, “We should not forward following the government’s mechanism (strategy). We have to go to all the stakeholders.”
Sharif Jamil, General Secretary of BAPA, said that the government needs to co-operate in achieving sustainable development and achieving its goals through dialogue and review so as not to be destructive to the future environment.
Saida Nasrin of Bangladesh Supreme Court lawyer, MS Siddiqui of BAPA Executive Member, Mr. Mahidul Haque Khan of BAPA treasurer, Professor Kamruzzaman Majumder of BAPA joint general secretary, Humayun Kabir Sumon, and others also spoke at the seminar.
