Muhammad Yunus, the interim leader of Bangladesh, assumed office after the resignation and departure abroad of Sheikh Hasina, the country's long-serving prime minister. Yunus vowed to focus his efforts on clean energy projects and protecting the population from the effects of climate change, considering Bangladesh one of the most vulnerable countries to it in the world.
In his statements, Yunus criticized wealthy nations for having developed their economies at the expense of global warming and emphasized that both developed and developing nations must act to combat climate change. The interim leader mentioned the importance of awareness and hard work from any government to address this global crisis.
Yunus stressed the urgency of the climate situation by mentioning that Bangladesh could face the loss of up to 17% of its territory due to rising sea levels. It is also directly exposed to the increasing frequency and intensity of cyclonic storms, highlighting the need for action at both local and global levels.
Regarding climate negotiations at COP29, Yunus expressed his skepticism and suggested that countries responsible for the climate crisis should focus on providing funds to address the situation rather than negotiating. He criticized the approach of some nations and compared the talks to a crowded fish market, urging them to take responsibility instead of seeking deals.
In summary, Muhammad Yunus called for urgent and direct action to address climate change, emphasizing the responsibility of all nations, rich and poor, in protecting the planet and its inhabitants.