Robust and Early Capitalisation of GCF; Governance in Climate Finance are must – PM echoes with TIB’s stance

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) since 2011 has been demanding release of “new” and “additional” Climate Funds by Annex-1 countries. The organisation in different fora also demanded integrity, transparency and accountability in fund disbursement by developed countries and its utilisation by the government. TIB is a strong advocate for effective participation of affected people in implementation, monitoring and evaluation of climate change finance programmes and projects for ensuring better governance in this sector. To this end, on 23 September 2014 on the eve of UN Climate Summit 2014 TIB and Action Aid Bangladesh (AAB) jointly called upon the United Nations and relevant Member States to ensure transparency, accountability and integrity in climate finance governance both at national and international levels. This call was made from a human chain organised by the youth groups of TIB and Action Aid at the TSC premises of University of Dhaka.

TIB and AAB expressed disappointment that the Annex 1 countries have remained far from providing the committed level of ‘new’ and ‘additional’ funds to the affected countries including most vulnerable ones like Bangladesh. They demanded immediate disbursement of the promised funds. At the same time, the organisations also called upon the Government of Bangladesh to allocate necessary funds for the Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund (BCCTF).

The human chain was addressed by the Pro Vice Chancellor of Dhaka University Dr Shahid Akhter Hossain and TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman. Dr Zaman said that effective participation of the people, especially from climate change affected regions, must be ensured in project planning, fund allocation and project implementation.

He also called upon the countries, donors and other stakeholders to work together and develop a fund depository and registry mechanism to facilitate tracking of fund disbursement and their use. TIB supported Committee of Concerned Citizens (CCC) also organised human chains with similar demands at Khulna, Satkhira, Bagerhat, Barisal, Pirojpur, Patuakhali and Barguna.

Earlier on 22 September 2014, TIB submitted a letter of appeal to the United Nations with similar demands. It was handed over to UNDP’s Country Director in Bangladesh Ms Pauline Tamesis for transmission to the Secretary-General Mr Ban Ki-moon on the occasion of the UN Climate Summit held in New York on 23 September.