Water is crucial for survival in Bangladesh, a country known for its abundant rivers and resilient population. However, in 2020, the nation faced unprecedented challenges. Cyclone Amphan caused widespread destruction in the south-western regions, followed by monsoon rains that inundated one-third of the country, displacing thousands and destroying crops. Dealing with the aftermath of water-related disasters, such as pollution and disease, is incredibly difficult. 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 disease prevention. In Dhaka, the levels of the Brahmaputra and Padma rivers are decreasing, allowing people to resume their lives cautiously amid the ongoing pandemic. Efforts are being made to evaluate flood protection measures and offer assistance to those impacted by the floods. Despite the challenges, plans are being made to improve preparedness for future disasters, as in Bangladesh, there is always a possibility of another crisis. The climate crisis is always active. I want to alert nations and financial institutions that believe they are unaffected by the climate crisis: you are not immune. The Covid-19 pandemic has proven that no country or company can thrive in isolation. We must work together to address worldwide challenges. The pandemic has also shown that it is easier to prevent problems than to fix them. This means that in 2020, it is crucial that we prioritize listening to scientists. We are currently dealing with a global crisis involving climate, health, and nature. The loss of biodiversity is being worsened by climate change, and this in turn is making the situation even more severe. Countries like Bangladesh are not the only ones experiencing the devastating effects of nature's fury. In various parts of the world this year, fires have been widespread in places such as the Amazon, Australia, California, and Siberia. Cyclones and hurricanes have caused significant damage in the US, Caribbean, and parts of Asia. The UK, which will host the COP26 climate summit next year, has also experienced floods. Climate change is a result of unsustainable human activities, leading to more severe weather events such as floods, rainfalls, cyclones, heatwaves, landslides, and droughts. These events pose a threat to food security, highlighting the importance of acknowledging their seriousness. A one meter increase in sea level will submerge many small islands and coastal nations, while floods from melting glaciers will devastate mountainous countries. This will force millions of people to become climate refugees, overwhelming the world's capacity to provide shelter. The G20 countries are responsible for the majority of emissions, with the bottom 100 countries only contributing a small percentage. The emitters bear a significant responsibility and must make substantial contributions to the mitigation efforts required to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5C. As the current leader of the Climate Vulnerable Forum, Bangladesh is appealing for increased assistance from the international community and the G20 in terms of financial support and technology access to accelerate adaptation for the most vulnerable countries. Within this group, Bangladesh is among the most well-equipped to handle extreme weather events. We are constructing sea walls, establishing mangrove forests, and incorporating resilience into all government initiatives. However, we cannot undertake this journey without support. 64 countries and the EU have recently agreed to the Pledge for Nature in response to the global crisis, representing approximately 1.4 billion individuals and a quarter of the world's GDP. It is now crucial to cultivate a unified political determination on both national and international fronts. As the upcoming hosts of key meetings such as COP, G7, and G20, the UK and Italy have a crucial role in advancing this agenda, including providing extensive assistance to the most affected nations. Business leaders, CEOs, CFOs, and investors of all levels also have a crucial part to play in this endeavor. You may think that your main focus is on quarterly results, but our shared priority is much more crucial: if the environment is harmed to the point where it cannot shield us, we will all face consequences. The impact in Bangladesh has repercussions on stock markets in London and New York. No one is safe from the effects of rising sea levels. The only solution is a fundamental change in government policies and business practices, transitioning from high carbon to low carbon 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 effect on climate change has been varied. I commend the EU for emphasizing a sustainable recovery. In Bangladesh, we also aim to prioritize a green recovery, 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 establishing a strong foundation for the long term. Climate change, pandemics, and the loss of biodiversity are shared challenges that need to be addressed. They should bring us together to strive for a shared goal: creating a cleaner, more sustainable, and safer planet. In Bangla, we say "Bhabia korio kaj, koria bhabio na" (think before you act, not after), emphasizing the importance of not taking irreversible actions.