Water is crucial in Bangladesh, where it is a matter of survival. The country is known for its rivers, coastlines, and strong-willed population. However, 2020 has presented unprecedented challenges. Cyclone Amphan caused widespread destruction in the south-western regions, followed by monsoon rains that flooded one-third of the country, displacing thousands and ruining crops. Dealing with the aftermath of water damage, including pollution and disease, can be extremely difficult. It is especially challenging this year due to the impact of Covid-19, which has made it hard to obtain clean water necessary for sanitation and preventing the spread of the virus. Currently in Dhaka, the water levels in the Brahmaputra and Padma basins are lowering, allowing my people to begin rebuilding their lives amidst the ongoing threat of the pandemic. We are evaluating flood protection measures and offering assistance to those impacted. As usual, we are making plans to improve our readiness for future disasters, as in Bangladesh there is always the possibility of another crisis. The climate crisis is always active. I wish to caution nations and financial institutions who believe they are unaffected by the climate crisis: there is no escaping it. The Covid-19 pandemic has proven that no country or company can thrive in isolation. We must work together to address worldwide challenges. Additionally, the pandemic has highlighted that it is simpler to prevent crises than to treat them. This means that in 2020, it is crucial that we make a concerted effort to heed the advice of scientists. We are currently dealing with a serious global crisis that encompasses climate change, health issues, and threats to nature. The loss of biodiversity is being worsened by climate change, and this in turn is making the situation more severe. Bangladesh is not the only place feeling the impact of natural disasters, as wildfires have also been devastating regions like the Amazon, Australia, California, and Siberia. Cyclones and hurricanes have caused extensive damage in the US, Caribbean, and parts of Asia. The UK, which will host the COP26 climate summit next year, has also experienced floods. The root cause of climate change is the unsustainable nature of human activities. In recent years, we have seen an increase in floods, heavy rainfall, cyclones, heatwaves, landslides, and droughts with greater severity and intensity, posing a threat to food security. It is crucial that we acknowledge the seriousness of these challenges. A one meter increase in sea level will submerge many small islands and coastal nations, while floods caused by melting glaciers will devastate mountainside countries. This will result in millions of people becoming climate refugees, overwhelming the world's capacity to provide shelter. The G20 countries are responsible for approximately 80% of emissions, while the bottom 100 countries only contribute 3.5%. The emitters bear a significant responsibility and are required to make substantial contributions in order to reduce global temperature rise to 1.5C. As the current leader of the Climate Vulnerable Forum, Bangladesh is calling for additional assistance from the international community and the G20 to increase financial support and technology access for faster adaptation in countries most vulnerable to climate change. Among these countries, Bangladesh is well-prepared for extreme weather, with initiatives such as building sea walls, planting mangrove forests, and incorporating resilience into all government activities. However, Bangladesh cannot tackle these challenges alone. Sixty-four countries and the EU have recently signed the Pledge for Nature in order to address the planetary emergency. Together, these nations represent approximately 1.4 billion people and a quarter of the global gross domestic product. It is now crucial to establish a shared political determination both domestically and globally. As the upcoming hosts of the COP, G7, and G20 meetings, the UK and Italy are tasked with leading this effort and providing necessary assistance to the most affected countries. Business leaders, CEOs, CFOs, and investors at all levels must also contribute to this cause. You might think that your main focus is on quarterly results, but what truly matters is our shared bottom line: if the environment is so damaged that it cannot safeguard us, we will all face consequences. Events in one part of the world can impact financial markets globally. Rising sea levels will affect everyone. The solution lies in a fundamental change in both government policies and business practices, moving towards lower carbon emissions and promoting environmental care over exploitation. A recent study conducted by Vivid Economics on the response to Covid-19 indicates that its effect on climate change has been varied. I applaud the EU for emphasizing a environmentally friendly recovery. We intend to follow suit in Bangladesh, and I sincerely hope that my fellow government and business leaders will do the same. While job creation is important, so is preparing for future jobs and establishing a sturdy foundation for the long term. Climate change, pandemics, and the degradation of nature are shared challenges. We should come together to strive for a shared goal of creating a cleaner, more environmentally friendly, and safer world. In Bangla, we have a saying: "Bhabia korio kaj, koria bhabio na" which means to think before taking action, rather than regretting it afterwards. We should avoid irreversible actions.