Bangladesh Cities consolidated their viewpoints into the Dhaka Call at a national workshop in Dhaka
10 August 2009, Dhaka, Bangladesh
On 10 August 2009, Bangladesh Cities consolidated their viewpoints into the Dhaka Call at the national workshop “Bangladesh Cities’ Perspective on Post 2012 Climate Actions & Agreement” at Spectra Convention Centre in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The workshop was held under the Roadmap of South Asian Cities and Local Governments for the post 2012 global climate agreement and actions in order to discuss the Energy Status Reports and the implementation of City Action plans with participating cities. The workshop was well attended by representatives from participating project cities, government officials, international organisations & local NGOs, research organisations and consultants.
The chief guest of honor at this workshop was the Chief Executive Officer of Rajshahi City Corporation, Mr. Shirajum Monir. Addressing the participants, he highlighted the energy related issues faced by Rajshahi city and other cities of Bangladesh. He appreciated the work done by ICLEI South Asia.
- Workshop participants in Dhaka, 10 August 2009
Dr. Atiq Rahman, Executive Director, BCAS, also appreciated the partnership of ICLEI South Asia and BCAS in getting the cities together on one platform to discuss the energy related problems. He said that it is important to work at local level to eventually see the results at the global level. Dr. Dwijen Mallick, Research Fellow, BCAS, gave a presentation on the efforts of BCAS in implementing various projects and on-going research activities in the area of climate change.
Mr. Saba Kalam, Programme Manager, Climate Change & Energy, from the British High Commission, India, was a special guest at the workshop and addressed the delegates and apprised them of British High Commission’s activities under the Strategic Programme Fund and in particular under the Climate Roadmap project.
- Ravi Ranajan addressing the audience, Dhaka, 10 August 2009
Furthermore, cities shared experiences on renewable energy and energy efficiency activities being taken up by their respective city corporations. They all agreed to the view that the local governments should have a say in the formulation of national policy and their involvement in international treaties and programmes related to climate change and associated activities. Along with discussion on the energy status and action plans, the viewpoints and suggestions on post 2012 climate agreements was also consolidated into a Dhaka Call which was agreed upon and signed by 27 participants.
The workshop was jointly organised by ICLEI South Asia and Bangladesh Centre for Advance Studies (BCAS). Being very interactive, it received an overwhelming response. From the deliberations and presentations, it was evident that cities are working towards reducing carbon emissions and are making contribution on their parts in solving the global problem of Climate change.
The Roadmap of South Asian Cities and Local Governments for the post 2012 global climate agreement and actions project is supported by the British High Commission.
For more information on Roadmap activities in South Asia, please click here.