Dhaka - Denmark assured Bangladesh Wednesday that it will help the impoverished Asian nation in its efforts to fight the challenges of global climate change. Danish Minister for Climate and Energy Connie Hedegaard pledged his country's support during a meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed, after a trip to vulnerable coastal communities.
Hasina informed the Danish minister about her government's development programmes, which include dredging rivers battle floods and increase agricultural productivity.
Hedegaard visited Bangladesh in preparation for hosting the United Nations Conference on Climate Change in Copenhagen in December.
At the conference world leaders will discuss a new treaty to replace the Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012.
"We will all gather in our capital to make an ambitious climate deal, to live up to what science tells us is necessary. As host, we try to ensure transparency and listen. And we will bring back many of the suggestions we have heard here in Bangladesh," Hedegaard said.
Denmark remains committed to assist Bangladesh adapt to climate change in food security, social protection and health, he said
Denmark is contributing 120 million taka (1.75 million US dollars) for climate change issues in addition to more than 2 billion taka earmarked for assisting Bangladesh each year.
Bangladesh, located across the Ganges Delta, is one of the world's most densely populated countries, and is considered particularly endangered by the effects of climate change. The country is plagued by recurring floods, tropical cyclones, storm surges and saline intrusion.
