UK stresses Sundarbans’ protection, assures support over Rohingya repatriation
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Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, British state minister for Foreign Affairs for South Asia and the Commonwealth, has underscored the importance of protecting the Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest, from the adverse impacts of climate change.
He made the observation during a discussion with Bangladesh State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam, the foreign ministry said on Wednesday.
The UK minister commended Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s leadership of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) during the lead up to the UNFCCC COP26 scheduled for November 2021 in Glasgow, said a spokesperson of the foreign ministry.
State Minister Alam briefed his UK counterpart about US Special Presidential Envoy on Climate John Kerry’s recent visit to Bangladesh.
He invited Lord Ahmad to visit Bangladesh during the Mujib Year.
The two state ministers discussed the latest international travel restrictions imposed in the wake of the renewed spike in coronavirus infections.
Mr Alam urged his UK counterpart to take Bangladesh off the red list of international travel restrictions as early as possible.
The two state ministers also exchanged views on the Rohingya situation in Bangladesh.
They discussed the current impasse over their voluntary repatriation to Myanmar and their partial relocation to Bhashan Char.
Lord Ahmad assured his Bangladesh counterpart of the UK’s continued support for Rohingya people’s safe and dignified return to Myanmar.