The seminar was jointly organised by Equity BD, COAST, Oxfam BD, Action Aid, CSRL and CANSA. More than 50 participants from CANSA member organisations as well as non-CANSA organisations participated in the dialogue.

1. migration. Bangladesh, in association with
IOM, is going to submit a compact proposal
for new UN policy regime covering migration,
displacement and refugee. We hope,
Bangladesh government will be successful in
this regard.
The Agenda for the Protection of Cross-
Border Displaced Persons in the Context of
Disasters and Climate Change (Protection
Agenda) was endorsed by 109 governmental
delegations during a
global intergovernmental
consultation on October 2015
in Geneva, Switzerland The
Protection Agenda addresses
the protection and assistance
needs of cross-border
disaster-displaced persons by
exploring potential measures
that States may voluntarily
adopt and harmonize to admit such persons
relying on humanitarian considerations and
international solidarity with disaster affected
countries and communities. We should think
on how we can take this discussion in the
SAARC summit.
Introductory Speech form the Moderator
Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, EquityBD
Civil society of Bangladesh has been always in a same page regarding the climate
change negotiation. There have been hardly any differences with government’s
position regarding the challenges of climate change impact, specially about the issue
of climate migrants.
There are may be some difference with the government
regarding the implementation of climate change related
activities. This year, we have started the campaign on the eve of
the climate conference, keeping pretty much time with our hand. We would like to
organize series of events in this regard .
I would like to share some important information with all esteem panelists and
participants. In the coming 19 September UN is going to organize a summit on
On the eve of the Conference of the Parties-CoP 22 and the SAARC summit, the seminar titled
Climate Issues in CoP 22 Marrakech and Islamabad SAARC Summit was organized. The main
objectives of the seminar were to place civil society concern for incoming climate conference and
Islamabad SAARC Summit, to propose what should be Bangladesh government’s primary demands
from those conference and summit and to aware media for mass awareness in this regard for
greater mobilization. The seminar was jointly organized by Climate Action Network South Asia
(CANSA), Christian Aid, Campaign for Sustainable Rural Livelihood (CSRL), Oxfam International,
Action Aid, COAST and EquityBD. The seminar was chaired by Dr Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad,
Chairman PKSF, Dr Hasan Mahmud, Member of Parliament (MP), Chairman Parliamentary Standing
Committee on Ministry of Environment and Forest attended as the Chief Guest. The seminar was
moderated by Rezaul Karim Chowdhury of EquityBD. Other guest speakers were, Mr Sanjay Vahsist
of CANSA, Dr Atiq Rahman of Bangladesh Centre for Advance Studies (BCAS) and Ms Sharmind
Neelormi of CSRL. Mr Mujibul Haque Munir of Equitybd has presented the keynote presentation.
Seminar
Summary
Climate Issues in CoP 22 and
Islamabad SAARC Summit
Climate Displacement in Cross Boarder Must Be
Raised in SAARC and Climate Conference
This year, we have started the campaign on the eve of the climate
conference, keeping pretty much time with our hand. We would like to
organize series of events in this regard .
We should think on how we can take the discussion of
cross border issue in the SAARC summit.

2. In last March, during the World Humanitarian Summit, the Platform
on Disaster and Development has been formed; Germany is the
Chair of this organization while Bangladesh is Vice Chair. About 40
countries including Canada, France, Brazil have given commitment
to work on the issue of displacement. With this reference the
displacement issue can be places in SAARC Summit.
Deliberation of the Chair
Dr Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad
Chairman PKSF
In fact, all the decisions have been taken, now it is the time
for action. CSOs should study all the decisions to guide the
government in implementation. In the SAARC level, many decisions
already are there. For example, the 2004 summit decided to
implement SAARC Economic Union, SAARC also discussed common
currency. It is time to implement, not only further discussion.
SAARC is a platform to talk, there is nothing alternative. So, it is an
important institution, we should try to keep it vibrant.
It is difficult to address expectations of all the participating
countries in one agreement, but Paris Agreement has some
windows to discuss. For mitigation, I am not sure whether the 2
degree is possible. Review of this target will depend on political
leaders.
In the INDC, Bangladesh pledges to reduce carbon emission by
5% in the industry, energy and communication sector within 2030
without any external support. If we get support we can reduce it
by additional 15%. So, Bangladesh’s position is clear.
We should emphasize on adaptation more, we should raise our
voices to get funds for adaptation. Climate induced migration is
very serious issue for Bangladesh.
GCF was supposed to be grant, but has been turned its fund as loan
or co-financing. It means, if we want grant we will have to invest
50%. Though Bangladesh have to be very active in Marrakech
and Islamabad SAARC summit but Bangladesh should not wait for
external assistance, the country has to proceed with its own
resources too.
Deliberation of the Chief Guest
Dr Hasan Mahmud , MP
Chairman Parliamentary Standing Committee
on Ministry of Environment and Forest
South Asian countries have almost same culture, tradition, but
this is one of the least integrated regions. SAARC is playing a
vital role in working as a platform of discusion and it discuses
many important issues.
Cross border water and water management issues should
be discussed in the coming SAARC Summit. Since, water
management of India has an impact in Bangladesh, and water
management of Bangladesh can hamper India. Green Energy
Production can be another important issue for this region.
Region can get economic and climatic benefit form this issue.
Reduction of water pollution is also another very important
issue for the SAARC. Both in India and Bangladesh
industrialization is growing rapidly. So, we have to take action
now to reduce water pollution.
Green Climate Fund is going far from countries like Bangladesh.
LDCs should have easy aces to this fund.
Deliberation of the Special Guest
Mr Sanjay Vahsist, Director CANSA
During the last May and June we have experienced climatic
disasters in almost every corner of South Asia. We saw drought
in India and Pakistan, flood in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal.
92% of Indian water reserve capcity has been affected.
Paris agreement has set a limit of global warming
to 1.5 degree. It is said that, at the end of this year
the global warming will be increased by 1.2 degree.
So, how much realistic this target is? It is obvious
that, global warming will be increased beyond that,
and we can imagine what kind of catastrophes are
waiting for us.
There is also some hopes. We should fight on one very serious
point, we should give a message to the rich counties and that
is, we can’t give up our survival footprints for your luxurious
All the decisions have been taken, now it is the
time for action. CSO should study all the decisions
to guide the government in implementation. It is
time to implement, not only further discussion.
SAARC is a platform to talk, there is nothing
alternative. So, it is an important institution, we
should try to keep it vibrant.

3. footprints. You should give up your luxury.
There are some convergence and overlaps in the Paris Agreement
and the Sustainable Development Goals. SDG recognizes the
climate change as a precondition for sustainable development
and poverty eradication, so climate change needs to be
addressed.
Intended National Determinant Commitments are there, bit
to implement these commitments we need capacity building,
national policies are needed to be reviewed, best practices must
be documented.
there is a need of strong civil society mobilization in SAARC
countries especially in India to go for regional level water
management and management of climate induced displacement
Deliberation of the Special Guest
M Atiq Rahman
Executive Director, BCAS
The main problem of the poor is to eradicate poverty and to get
development in a speedy way. Main objective of MDG was to
halve the poverty in the world. SDGs talk about total poverty
eradication, it is actually aims at rapid economic development
with sustainable environment.
We don’t have that much time, we have hardly 20-30 years in our
hand to reduce carbon emission hugely and rapidly, otherwise
we will be in great danger. We have to take action promptly, but
unfortunately the format of the Paris declaration in not in favour
of any fast action.
If we fail to ensure enough mitigation, our adaptation cost will be
increased. If adaptation cost is increased, not only poor countries,
all the word will suffer from it.
Displacement has become a bitter issue, we can see
displacement even in the Europe, According to IPCC, at the end of
this century 300 million people will be displaced due to climate
change .
In South Asia, we have to be united. South Asian countries
have so far made four declarations. Thimphu declaration talks
about what to do and how regarding climate change, Dhaka
declaration affirms that all South Asian countries will work
together, knowledge will be exchanged. Male declaration says
that, all action should be inclusive and Kathmandu declaration
talks about regional integration regarding regenerative energy. If
South Asian countries can ensure optimum energy, there will no
energy shortage in this region. To do that, we will need a lot of
investment.
Loss and damage will be an important issue for the CoP 22. The
Warsaw agenda will be reviewed here, but Paris declaration
has made huge damage to the issue loss and damage. Its say,
loss and damage can’t be discussed in a any way to claim any
compensation against any a particular country. It means, you
can discuss the issue with very strong limitation. Hope, actions
regarding loss and damage will be discussed in COP22. South
Asian countries can take a position in this regard.
Financial mechanism can be another important issue to discuss.
Green Climate Fund is there, but getting fund is too much
complicated. It seems this fund is a way of patronizing international
agencies.
We should prepare effective, actionable project regarding climate
change to get funds, we are yet to do that. Various department of
the Bangladesh government are still even to start the process. We
have lack of capacities and technical knowledge. I think a group
expert should be formed who can help the government in this
regard. The world should be together to fight the climate change
impact. South Asian countries are more or less are in the same
page, even though there are some differences in various contexts.
Deliberation of the Special Guest
Ms Sharmind Neelormi, CSRL
For Green Climate Fund External Resource Department (RED) of
Bangladesh is working
as National Designated
Authority, we are yet to get
a National Implementing
Entity. Some African
countries have so far
established NIE and they
have been able to get fund
from GCF. Some projects
for Bangladesh are in
the pipeline, but all are
thorough multilateral international agencies. This is very important
for us.
Guest Speakers
Mizanur rahman Bijoy, NCCB
In the 2011 COP the climate migration issue were recognized, but
we have been failed to do that in the Paris Agreement. Loss and
migration has been sent almost out of the main text of the Paris
Agreement. We have to think on it, how we can bring it back in CoP
mechanism.
Loss and damage will be an important issue for
the CoP 22. The Warsaw agenda will be reviewed
here, but Paris declaration has made huge damage
to the issue loss and damage

4. Badi Akhter, Oxfam
Can we really be hopeful about the SAARC,
where huge mistrusts among the members
countries? To me, it has become an
ornamental type of regional institution. In
every two years, members get together, talk
some good things but no action is there.
There are some cross boundary issues, but
within SAARC these issues can’t be resolved.
But, people to people communication is
very good, this is a space for hope.
In the CoP, we should raise the question of
calculation loss and damage, how the loss
and damages can be calculated. Social,
cultural capitals are affected due to climate
change; slow onset damage also should be
calculated for loss and damage.
Aminur Rasul Babul,
Unnayan Dhara Trust
As a lower stream country, Bangladesh
is affected form Indian action regarding
river management. Indian polluted water
is reported to pollute Bangladesh water,
which is a serious issue. Bangladesh should
take this issue very seriously.
From the Key Note:
Md. Mujibul Haque Munir,
EquityBD
Bangladesh must take the opportunity of
SAARC summit to raise the cross boarder
perspective of climate displacement issue
in SAARC summit. LDC and country like
Bangladesh has got direct access only to
2 % of the Green Climate Fund because
of difficult procedures. There are two
ways of getting fund: through accredited
international organizations, accredited
national agencies Only three projects for
LDC countries, Rwanda, Senegal, Ethiopia. So
far about 60% projects have been provided
to large international organizations, banks
like ADB, HSBC, Duestech bank. HSBC
invested about 5 billion for coal mine
projects.
SAARC is important for the South Asian
Countries. Regional cooperation for fighting
poverty is crying need for this region. is
the world’s second poorest region with
more than 500 million people living on
less than US$1.25 a day. South Asia has 23
percent of the world’s total population,
but has only 2 percent of the total global
income. The region houses 40 percent of the
world’s poor and 35 percent of the world’s
undernourished.
SAARC seed bank and Food Bank can be
effective tool to ensure sustainable food
security for the region. But Seed Bank is yet to be functional and Food Bank is yet to be
an effective bank. Climate change impact is very much visible in this region, regional
cooperation is also needed to fight the challenge of climate change. Seed Bank agreement
was signed in 2011, but still to ratified by Pakistan, Maldives and Afghanistan.
South Asian leaders should also discuss the agenda for the Protection of Cross-Border
Displaced Persons in the Context of Disasters and Climate Change the Protection Agenda
addresses the protection and assistance needs of cross-border disaster-displaced persons
by exploring potential measures that States may voluntarily adopt and harmonize to admit
such persons relying on humanitarian considerations and international solidarity with
disaster affected countries and communities
Contact: COAST Trust
House 13, (1st floor), Metro Melody, Road 2, Shyamoli, Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh
Tel:+88 02 8125181/9118435/9120358, Fax:+88 02 9129395 e-mail: info@coastbd.net, www.coastbd.net
The Chair, Chief Guest and Special Guest
Dr Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad is a leading Bangladeshi
economist and development thinker and activist. He is currently
the chairman of Dhaka School of Economics (DScE), a Constitu-
ent Institution of the University of Dhaka, devoted to post-grad-
uate studies in economics and related subjects. He is also the
chairman of Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF), which is
largest rural development funding, skill development and man-
agement support agency in Bangladesh.
Dr. Hasan Mahmud, MP is a Bangladesh Awami League politi-
cian who is the Member of Parliament (MP) for Chittagong-7
and chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the
Ministry of Environment and Forests. He was the MP for Chit-
tagong-6 from 2008 until 2014, Minister of State for Foreign Af-
fairs from January to July 2009 in Sheikh Hasina’s cabinet, and
then Minister of State for Environment and Forests until 2013
Sanjay Vashist is advising Climate & Resources Programme
of Heinrich Böll Foundation in India since February 2009 and
directing Climate Action Network in South Asia (CANSA). Aca-
demically he is a ‘Forester’with Graduation and Post Gradu-
ation in Forestry from India. He completed his Master in Agro
Forestry from Gujarat Agriculture University and Graduation in
Forestry from Konkan Krishi Vidhyapeeth, Maharastra.