COP president arrives to discuss climate issues

COP26 President-Designate, British MP Alok Sharma arrived here on a two-day visit to strengthen support for UK COP26 climate priorities ahead of hosting the crucial UN climate change summit in Glasgow this November.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam received him at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport this morning. During the visit, Sharma will call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and hold a meeting with foreign minister Dr AK Abdul Momen.

He will attend a joint press briefing this afternoon after attending a roundtable discussion on UK- Bangladesh Climate Partnership Roundtable at Foreign Service Academy

On Thursday, Alok Sharma is scheduled to visit the Sundarbans.

During his visit, he will press his personal priority for a move to global clean power, critical to limiting global temperature rise to 1.5C, said a statement of the UK Cabinet Office.

The statement said his meetings with senior leaders will focus on climate ambition, including a clean energy transition and efforts to help communities deal with the worst effects of climate change.

He will also discuss how the UK Presidency will work with the countries to support workers and communities making the transition to green jobs.