Towards a sustainable, developed Bangladesh
Bangladesh is now at fifty. Judging by the contour of history, it is not a very long time. In this short time, Bangladesh's development journey is, in short, awe-some. When Bangladesh began its development journey under Bangabandhu's leadership in 1972, its path was very narrow. It was a 'Methopath' (rural road). And today that trivial trail has merged with the broad highway of development. The then economy of $8 billion now stands at $355 billion. The per capita income has increased from $93 to $2,228. Starting with a growth rate of minus 12 per cent the country has been growing around 7 per cent now. Bangladesh economy withstood bravely the challenges of pandemic with its inner strength. While the global economy shrunk by 3.5 per cent, Bangladesh grew by more than 4 per cent during last fiscal year. This would have been even higher if the world leaders were responsible enough to deliver the COVID-19 vaccine on time. Given all indications, Bangladesh economy will grow more than 7 per cent in this fiscal year. This also proves that leadership matters. On his way home from captivity Bangabandhu had short stopover on January 10, 1972 in New Delhi. At the airport, in reply to a question of a journalist, Bangabandhu reassured that Bangladesh will be a land of 'Peace, Progress and Prosperity'. He always dreamed of a 'Golden Bengal'. He led an outstanding war of economic freedom to build a hunger and poverty-free Bangladesh defying the ruins of the war. He was desperate to take the country out of ashes to prosperity. In just three and a half years, he was able to raise the per capita GDP to $273 from a meagre $93. Unfortunately, that journey towards prosperity came to a sudden halt on August 15, 1975. The nation lost its greatest son. The economic progress became disoriented. As a result, in the two following years, Bangladesh's per capita GDP plummeted to a meagre sum of $138 and $128 respectively. It took 13 long years to bring our per capita GDP back to the level of 1975.
India targets net-zero carbon emissions by 2070, says Modi
India’s economy will become carbon neutral by the year 2070, the country’s prime minster has announced at the COP26 climate crisis summit in Glasgow. The target date is two decades beyond what scientists say is needed to avert catastrophic climate impacts. India is the last of the world’s major carbon polluters to announce a net-zero target, with China saying it would reach that goal in 2060, and the United States and the European Union aiming for 2050.
COP26: What climate summit means for one woman in Bangladesh
China's carbon emissions are vast and growing, dwarfing those of other countries. Experts agree that without big reductions in China's emissions, the world cannot win the fight against climate change. In 2020, China's President Xi Jinping said his country would aim for its emissions to reach their highest point before 2030 and for carbon neutrality before 2060. His statement has now been confirmed as China's official position ahead of the COP26 global climate summit in Glasgow. But China has not said exactly how these goals will be achieved.
Why China's climate policy matters to us all
China's carbon emissions are vast and growing, dwarfing those of other countries. Experts agree that without big reductions in China's emissions, the world cannot win the fight against climate change. In 2020, China's President Xi Jinping said his country would aim for its emissions to reach their highest point before 2030 and for carbon neutrality before 2060. His statement has now been confirmed as China's official position ahead of the COP26 global climate summit in Glasgow. But China has not said exactly how these goals will be achieved.
Deliver on promises, developing world tells rich at climate talks
A crucial U.N. conference heard calls on its first day for the world's major economies to keep their promises of financial help to address the climate crisis, while big polluters India and Brazil made new commitments to cut emissions. World leaders, environmental experts and activists all pleaded for decisive action to halt the global warming which threatens the future of the planet at the start of the two-week COP26 summit in the Scottish city of Glasgow on Monday. The task facing negotiators was made even more daunting by the failure of the Group of 20 major industrial nations to agree ambitious new commitments at the weekend.