FROM PARIS (FRANCE): At last, the ‘Paris Agreement’ was signed. The member states of United Nations (UN) agreed to sign the pact at 7.30PM of Saturday (December 12).

Next, the French foreign Minister Laurent Fabius made the announcement amid thunderous applause and pleasure. Everybody welcomed the announcement.

In the conference, UN Secretary General Ban Ki- Moon, French president Francois Hollande and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry were present along with the representatives 196 countries.

Everybody termed it as a historical one. Actually, there was a busy diplomatic effort from November 29 for signing of the agreement. But none could reach consensus amongst themselves particularly the big nations. Finally, the time was extended to Saturday and the agreement was signed after debates and optimism.

In 2009 at Copenhagen, UN member countries held a conference on climate change. From that time, there was a necessity for an agreement among the member states.

The 14-day session of the ‘Conference of Paris’ or COP-21 came to an end through signing of ‘Adaptation of the Paris Agreement’. Next conference will be held at Marrakesh of Morocco from November 7-18.
   
Bangladesh happy:

At the signing of the agreement the Bangladesh delegation attending the COP-21 have expressed their satisfaction. However, they admit that there are some weaknesses in the agreement.

On the other hand, the Bangladesh-based NGOs have expressed frustration at the agreement commenting that this would not bring any benefit to the countries like Bangladesh.

A member of Bangladesh delegation Dr Ainun Nishat told banglanews that the agreement contains what we wanted though the member countries spoke on their personal issues.

He told that so long there was the prevalence of ‘shall, should, may’ but this time everything was made definite. They have agreed to limit the rise in global temperatures to less than 2C. The pact is the first to commit all countries to cut carbon emissions.

He informed that the developed countries are ready to finance the developing nations in their program to handle climate change. The developed countries have also told that they are ready to finance on the outcome of programs of the developing nations not on words only.

In the agreement, it is mandatory to form a task force according to the report on Warsaw Outcomes to be published next year, Dr Nishat told. They will fix strategy and place of rehabilitation of the displaced people.

However, Dr Nishat informed that according to Paris pact, the 100 billion US dollars climate fund will be formed between the period of 2020-2025 year.

He told banglanews that wealthy nations, which did not want to be held financially liable for climate change, insisted on this provision “does not involve or provide a basis for any liability or compensation,”.

Executive Director of Coast Bangladesh Rejaul Karim Chowdhury told that there is nothing for affected countries like Bangladesh. Rather the position of Bangladesh has become more embarrassing this time.

He further told that Bangladesh should not have signed such type of agreement. May be some big brothers have pressurized to sign it.

International NGO CARE has termed the Paris Agreement as a ordinary one but still the poor people will find the path of light.

BDST: 1114 HRS, DEC 13, 2015
Edited by Shahjahan/RS