Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called on weather-vulnerable countries to unite and express their concerns at the upcoming UN climate conference in South Africa. She emphasized that the economic cost of climate change is $130 billion and will continue to rise without prompt action. Prime Minister Hasina made these remarks while inaugurating the Climate Vulnerable Forum 2011 in Dhaka on Monday, stating that climate change is a serious injustice that the global community must recognize. She also pointed out that countries like Bangladesh are suffering the consequences of climate change despite having made little to no contribution to the issue. The initial Climate Vulnerable Forum took place in Malé, Maldives in 2009, and the second one was in Kiribati last year. This group comprises small island nations at risk from extreme weather and rising sea levels, countries with extensive low-lying coastlines like Vietnam and Bangladesh, and arid nations in East Africa. Hasina expressed disappointment that there has been no concrete support for adaptation efforts by vulnerable countries. She noted a lack of easy access to funding and technology, as well as uncertainty about how the global community will raise funds for the Green Climate Fund between 2012 and 2020. The prime minister urged vulnerable countries to unite and voice their concerns before the COP17 conference in Durban. She stated that in light of climate change, it is important to collaborate with global partners and establish a strong partnership. The United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-moon, who visited Dhaka for three days, emphasized the need to launch the Green Climate Fund in Durban. He emphasized the importance of fulfilling the agreements made in Cancún, Mexico, stating that an empty shell will not be enough. In order to address the needs of countries like Bangladesh that are heavily impacted by severe weather events, it is necessary for Durban to push forward with a plan of action on loss and damage, as stated by the UN chief. He emphasized the importance of not burdening the poorest and most vulnerable with the costs. The UN chief expressed hope that governments would reach a compromise on the Kyoto protocol in order to pave the way for a more comprehensive climate agreement in the future. He pointed out the effectiveness of the Bangladesh Cyclone Preparedness programme by citing a significant decrease in the death toll from cyclones in the country, from 140,000 in 1991 to 4,000 in 2007. Bangladesh is known as one of the most susceptible countries to climate change globally. If the sea level rises by two meters, approximately 30 million Bangladeshis could be forced to leave their residences. The Dhaka declaration of the climate forum is scheduled to be approved at 4:30pm.