Water in Bangladesh is crucial for survival. The country is known for its abundant rivers, extensive coastlines, and strong-willed population. However, 2020 has brought unprecedented challenges. Cyclone Amphan caused widespread destruction in the south-western regions, followed by monsoon rains that flooded one-third of the country, displacing many and ruining crops. Dealing with the aftermath of water-related disasters, such as pollution and disease, is incredibly difficult. In a year marked by the challenges of Covid-19, accessing clean water is even more difficult for sanitation and pandemic prevention. In Dhaka, the waters of the Brahmaputra and Padma basins are slowly receding, allowing people to resume their lives while still facing the threat of the coronavirus. Efforts are being made to evaluate flood defences and offer aid to those impacted, with plans being made to improve preparedness for future disasters in Bangladesh. The climate crisis is always present. I wish to caution nations and financial institutions that believe they are unaffected by the climate crisis that they are not exempt. The Covid-19 pandemic has proven that no country or company can thrive in isolation. It has also highlighted the importance of working together to address global challenges and the fact that prevention is simpler than finding a cure. This means that in 2020, it is crucial for us to prioritize listening to scientists. We are dealing with a global crisis involving climate change, public health, and environmental degradation. The loss of biodiversity is being worsened by climate change, and countries like Bangladesh are not the only ones suffering from the consequences of nature's fury. In various parts of the world this year, wildfires have caused destruction in places like the Amazon, Australia, California, and Siberia. Cyclones, hurricanes, and floods have caused significant damage in various regions such as the US, Caribbean, Asia, and the UK, which will host the COP26 climate summit next year. The increase in extreme weather events can be attributed to the unsustainable practices of human activities, leading to climate change. These events, including floods, rainfalls, cyclones, heatwaves, landslides, and droughts, have become more frequent and intense, posing a threat to food security. It is crucial to acknowledge the seriousness of these issues. A one-meter increase in sea level will submerge many small islands and coastal nations, while floods caused by melting glaciers will devastate mountainous countries. This will result in millions of people being displaced as climate refugees, overwhelming the world's capacity to accommodate them. The G20 nations are accountable for approximately 80% of emissions, whereas the bottom 100 countries contribute only 3.5%. The emitters carry a heavier burden and must provide more significant assistance in the efforts to limit global temperature rise to 1.5C. Bangladesh, as the current head of the Climate Vulnerable Forum, is calling for increased aid and technology access from the international community and G20 to accelerate adaptation for the most vulnerable countries. Among these nations, Bangladesh stands out for its strong preparedness for extreme weather events, including the construction of sea walls, planting of mangrove forests, and integration of resilience into all government activities. However, Bangladesh cannot tackle these challenges alone. Sixty-four countries and the EU have recently pledged to take action in response to the planetary emergency, representing approximately 1.4 billion people and a quarter of global GDP. The next steps involve building common political will at both domestic and global levels. The UK and Italy, as hosts of upcoming COP, G7, and G20 meetings, are responsible for driving this agenda forward, including providing support for nations most affected by the crisis. Business leaders, CEOs, CFOs, and investors at all levels also have a crucial role to play in this effort. You might think that the most important thing is your quarterly results, but what truly matters is our shared bottom line: if we continue to harm nature to the point where it can no longer sustain us, we will all face the consequences. Events in one part of the world can impact markets globally. Rising sea levels will affect everyone. The only solution is a fundamental change in how governments and businesses operate, moving towards low carbon practices and caring for the planet instead of exploiting it. A recent study conducted by Vivid Economics on the response to Covid-19 indicates that its effect on climate change has been varied. I commend the EU for placing emphasis on a sustainable recovery. We intend to follow suit in Bangladesh, and I sincerely hope that other government and business leaders will do the same. While creating jobs is important, we must also consider the future job market and establish strong foundations for the long term. Climate change, pandemics, and the depletion of nature are shared challenges that need to be addressed. They should bring us together to collaborate on finding a shared solution: a world that is cleaner, more environmentally friendly, and safer. In Bangla, we say: "Bhabia korio kaj, koria bhabio na" (think before you act, not after you've acted), meaning we should avoid irreversible actions.