Water is a critical issue in Bangladesh, where its abundance in the form of rivers and coastlines means life and death for its people. The year 2020 has been particularly challenging, with cyclone Amphan causing widespread destruction in the south-west and heavy monsoon rains displacing thousands and damaging crops. Dealing with water's destructive power, including pollution and disease, is a difficult task for the resilient population of Bangladesh. It is especially challenging this year due to the impact of Covid-19, which has made it harder to obtain clean water necessary for sanitation and preventing the spread of the virus. Despite the receding waters in the Brahmaputra and Padma basins in Dhaka, my community is slowly returning to normalcy amidst the ongoing pandemic. We are evaluating flood defenses and offering assistance to those impacted. As always, we are strategizing to improve our preparedness for future challenges, as there is always the possibility of another crisis in Bangladesh. The climate crisis is a constant threat that affects everyone, including countries, bankers, and financiers who may think they are immune. The COVID-19 pandemic has proven that no one can survive alone and that working together is the key to addressing global crises. Additionally, the pandemic has shown that preventing crises is easier than trying to cure them. In 2020, it is imperative that we prioritize heeding the advice of scientists. We are currently dealing with a global crisis encompassing climate, health, and nature. The decline of biodiversity is being worsened by climate change, and this has been evident in various regions such as Bangladesh, the Amazon, Australia, California, and Siberia. Cyclones and hurricanes have hit the United States, Caribbean, and parts of Asia, while the United Kingdom, which will host the COP26 climate summit next year, has experienced flooding. The root cause of climate change is the unsustainable nature of human activities. In recent years, there has been an increase in extreme weather events such as floods, heavy rainfall, cyclones, heatwaves, landslides, and droughts, posing a threat to food security. It is important to acknowledge the seriousness of these issues. A sea level increase of one meter will flood many small island and coastal nations, while melting glaciers will cause disasters in mountainous countries. Climate refugees will number in the millions, overwhelming the world's capacity to provide shelter. The G20 countries are accountable for 80% of emissions, while the bottom 100 countries only contribute 3.5%. The emitters bear a heavier burden and must contribute more to the mitigation efforts required to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5C. Bangladesh, as the current president of the Climate Vulnerable Forum, is calling for increased assistance from the international community and the G20 in terms of finance and technology to accelerate adaptation for the most vulnerable countries. Among these nations, Bangladesh is well-equipped to handle extreme weather events, with initiatives such as building sea walls, planting mangrove forests, and integrating resilience into all government activities. However, we cannot face these challenges alone. Sixty-four countries and the EU have recently signed the Pledge for Nature in order to address the global environmental crisis. Together, these countries represent approximately 1.4 billion people and a quarter of the world's gross domestic product. It is now crucial to establish a unified political commitment at both national and international levels. As hosts of upcoming international meetings, such as COP, G7, and G20, the UK and Italy must take the lead in advancing this agenda, including providing essential support to the countries most affected by the crisis. Business leaders, including CEOs, CFOs, and investors, are also integral in driving progress at all levels. You might think that your main concern is quarterly results, but our shared priority is much more crucial: if the environment is harmed to the point where it cannot safeguard us, we will all face consequences. Events in Bangladesh can impact markets in London and New York. Sea level rise affects everyone. The solution lies in a fundamental change in government policies and business practices, moving from high to low carbon emissions and from exploiting the planet to caring for it. A recent study conducted by Vivid Economics on the response to Covid-19 indicates that its effects on climate change have been varied. I commend the EU for emphasizing a green recovery. In Bangladesh, we also intend to prioritize a similar approach, and I hope that other government and business leaders will do the same. While jobs are important, we must also focus on creating opportunities for the future and laying a strong foundation for the years ahead. Climate change, pandemics, and environmental degradation are shared challenges that need to be addressed. They must bring us together to collaborate on finding a shared solution: a world that is cleaner, more sustainable, and safer. In the words of Bangla, "Bhabia korio kaj, koria bhabio na" (think before you act, not after you have acted), we should avoid irreversible actions.