Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Friday early night (Bangladesh Time) called for faster and deeper cuts in global emissions and greater international support for climate-vulnerable nations, warning that a 25-centimetre rise in sea level could submerge roughly 4 percent of Bangladesh’s land and affect nearly 10 million people by 2050.

Addressing an event titled “High-level Meeting to Address the Existential Threats Posed by Sea-Level Rise” at the UN Headquarters, he also proposed four urgent actions to address the impacts of rising sea levels.

“Vulnerable countries like Bangladesh cannot face the grave consequences of sea-level rise alone. Global support and assistance are needed to redouble our efforts. We, therefore, call for four urgent actions,” PM Tarique Rahman said.

First, he called for faster, deeper, and fairer cuts in global emissions to keep the 1.5-degree Celsius target within reach.

Second, the Prime Minister urged the international community to ensure predictable and accessible climate finance for vulnerable countries.

Third, he stressed the need for greater access to climate-smart technologies, data, and early-warning systems for vulnerable coastal nations.

Finally, PM Tarique Rahman urged stronger international cooperation to address climate-induced displacement, loss and damage, and to ensure dignified pathways for communities displaced by sea-level rise.

Citing a World Bank estimate, he said a 25-centimetre sea-level rise by 2050 could result in the loss of homes, livelihoods, and human dignity for around 10 million Bangladeshis.

The Prime Minister stated that Bangladesh, an active delta where hundreds of rivers meet the sea, has a future closely tied to its coast and is already taking measures to delay the impacts of sea-level rise despite its limited resources.

Bangladesh has built early-warning systems, strengthened cyclone preparedness, and invested in coastal protection, he said.

PM Tarique Rahman noted that the country is also taking ambitious steps to strengthen climate resilience, including plans to excavate around 20,000 kilometres of rivers and canals over the next five years.

He mentioned that Bangladesh is advancing the Padma Barrage initiative to retain and reserve water, modernising the Teesta Barrage under a master plan, and planning to plant 250 million trees over the next five years.

At the same time, the Prime Minister said Bangladesh is pursuing green growth, targeting at least 20 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, with an emphasis on solar power.

The country is also promoting green industries and eco-friendly transport, developing a national carbon market, and strengthening the protection of forests, wetlands, and vulnerable coastal ecosystems, he added.

PM Tarique Rahman emphasized that adaptation measures alone will not be enough to address the effects of sea-level rise.

“The ocean reacts to every tonne of carbon the world releases,” he said, stressing the necessity to rethink consumption patterns and reduce carbon emissions.

“The sea is rising fast. Our ambition must rise faster. We must act now to safeguard our future and the future of generations to come,” the Prime Minister asserted.

He expressed hope that countries will work together to turn the commitments in the declaration into action and ensure that no nation is left behind to face the rising tide.

“Let our resolve rise with the sea, and let our action rise even faster,” PM Tarique stated.

The high-level meeting was held on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly with the participation of heads of state and government alongside representatives of relevant international organisations.