Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, currently on an official visit to China, urged the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Tuesday to spearhead coordinated global efforts to support delta nations like Bangladesh that are disproportionately vulnerable to rising sea levels and climate-related disasters.

The Prime Minister made this call during a courtesy meeting with WEF President and CEO Alois Zwinggi on the sidelines of the WEF’s annual gathering in Dalian.

The meeting, which took place at 5 pm local time, opened with Zwinggi congratulating Tarique Rahman on his recent assumption of office as the head of the Bangladeshi government.

During the discussion, the Prime Minister commended the WEF for its ongoing initiatives to combat climate change.
Outlining Bangladesh’s proactive environmental commitments, he highlighted the government's recently inaugurated program to plant 25 crore trees over the next five years.

Furthermore, the Prime Minister detailed national plans to mitigate flood risks and restore ecological health through the re-excavation of nearly 20,000 kilometers of rivers and canals.

He also emphasized Bangladesh’s commitment to energy transition, noting that the government has introduced tax incentives to boost solar power generation with a target of sourcing 20 percent of the country’s total electricity from renewable energy by 2030.

In response, WEF President Alois Zwinggi expressed a strong interest in leveraging Tarique Rahman’s experiences and climate-focused initiatives on the global stage.

He noted that Bangladesh's strides in climate resilience and sustainable development are likely to capture the attention of international investors and financing institutions.

Zwinggi assured the Prime Minister that the concerns and proposals raised by Bangladesh would be given due consideration and reaffirmed the forum's commitment to continued cooperation, concluding the meeting by formally inviting the Prime Minister to participate in the WEF’s upcoming Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland.

High-level members of the Prime Minister's delegation, including Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman, Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir, BIDA Executive Chairman Ashik Chowdhury, and Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon, were present during the session.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman arrived in Dalian on Monday night following a two-day official visit to Malaysia—his maiden overseas tour since taking office.

Currently on a four-day official visit to China at the invitation of Premier Li Qiang, the Prime Minister is attending the 17th Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as the "Summer Davos," which is being held from June 23 to 25.

His schedule for Tuesday evening includes a reception hosted by the Chinese Premier. On Wednesday, he is slated to meet with the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan before departing Dalian for Beijing by train.

The final leg of his visit will take place in Beijing, where he is scheduled for high-level bilateral meetings, including discussions with Premier Li Qiang on June 25 and President Xi Jinping on June 26, before returning to Dhaka that night.

With Inputs from UNB