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.

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

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.

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 AhmadChairman 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 , MPChairman Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Environment and ForestSouth 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 GuestMr 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.

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 RahmanExecutive 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

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

Seminar Summary

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.