DPA

DHAKA PEOPLE in developing countries displaced by climate change should be officially recognised by the United Nations as refugees, Bangladesh said on Tuesday in the run-up to this month’s global climate summit in South Africa.

“We will propose that the climate-displaced people get their right to be rehabilitated in the developed countries, which are mostly responsible for green house gas emission,” Environment Minister Hasan Mahmud told reporters.

Mahmud was speaking ahead of a conference on November 13 of the 32- nation Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF), founded at the initiative of the Maldives.

Bangladesh is the current leader of the group.

Experts say one-third of Bangladesh may be inundated by a one-metre rise in sea levels over the next 40 years, causing the displacement of more than 20 million people.

“We emphasise both funding for climate change adaptation and mitigation, and the issue of migration as well,” Foreign Minister Dipu Moni said.

Speaking in Johannesburg on Monday, South Africa President Jacob Zuma warned the climate change talks in Durban would be difficult and that national interests could dominate.