PM Tarique Rahman Arrives in Istanbul for Three-Day Official Visit to Attend COP31

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman arrived in Istanbul, Türkiye, at 12:40 p.m. local time on Tuesday for a three-day official visit to attend the COP31 climate summit.

During the summit, the prime minister is scheduled to address a plenary session and hold bilateral meetings with leaders from several countries on the sidelines of the conference.

Deputy Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Hasan Shiplu said a Turkish Airlines flight carrying the prime minister, his wife Dr. Zubaida Rahman, and members of the delegation landed in Istanbul at 12:40 p.m. local time. Following a brief stopover in Istanbul, the prime minister is scheduled to depart for Antalya in the afternoon.

According to the prime minister's itinerary and Foreign Ministry sources, he is scheduled to hold his first bilateral meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğanat the Maxx Royal Hotel in Antalya.

The two leaders are expected to discuss ways to expand bilateral trade and investment and strengthen cooperation in key sectors.

The COP31 summit will take place on November 11 and 12. On November 12, the prime minister will deliver Bangladesh's statement at the plenary session, highlighting the country's position on climate justice, the historical responsibility of developed nations, climate financing, adaptation, loss and damage, and climate-resilient sustainable development.

Foreign Secretary-designate Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury told reporters in Dhaka on Monday that arrangements were being made for bilateral meetings between the prime minister and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and the British foreign secretary. A meeting with the administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is also under consideration.

He said the discussions would focus on bilateral relations, trade and investment, and climate cooperation. He expressed hope that these engagements would create new opportunities to advance Bangladesh's economic and geopolitical interests.

The foreign secretary-designate noted that although Bangladesh accounts for only 0.05 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, it remains one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change.

Ensuring climate justice, securing adaptation financing, addressing climate-related loss and damage, and ensuring that developed countries fulfill their climate financing commitments are therefore among Bangladesh's top priorities.

On compensation for climate-related loss and damage, he said Bangladesh regularly presents its assessments at various international forums to raise awareness and strengthen international cooperation. Although estimates of such losses may vary, presenting them on the global stage helps advance the country's interests.

Bangladesh will also highlight its achievements in building climate resilience and share its experiences in addressing the impacts of climate change across South Asia and the wider Asian region.

As part of its participation, Bangladesh has established a jute pavilion in the Green Zone of the summit. The pavilion showcases the versatile uses and environmentally friendly properties of jute, as well as the potential of jute-based products as alternatives to plastic.

A joint declaration between Bangladesh and Türkiye to promote jute and jute products is also under consideration.

The Foreign Ministry will organize two side events in the summit's Blue Zone on November 12 and 13. One will focus on the particular vulnerabilities of women to climate change in Bangladesh. The other will highlight challenges in promoting biodegradable and zero-waste jute products as alternatives to synthetic polymers.

Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury said Bangladesh's position for the summit had been formulated through consultations with various ministries and stakeholders. The Foreign Ministry coordinated the preparations with the Ministry of Environment and other relevant agencies.

He expressed optimism that Bangladesh's participation under the prime minister's leadership would further strengthen the country's position in international climate diplomacy.

A 21-member Bangladesh delegation is accompanying the prime minister to the summit. The delegation includes Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo; State Ministers for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir and Shama Obaed Islam; Prime Minister's Special Assistant on Forests, Environment and Climate Change Dr. Mohammad Saimum Parvez; Principal Coordinator for SDG Affairs at the Prime Minister's Office Professor Dr. S. M. Abdul Awal; Prime Minister's Press Secretary A.A.M. Saleh Shibli; and Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu, among others.

The Conference of the Parties, commonly known as COP, is the United Nations' annual climate summit, where countries discuss collective measures to address climate change. Türkiye is hosting this year's conference, while Australia is serving as the president of the formal negotiations.

The prime minister is scheduled to return to Bangladesh on Friday.