Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has expressed concerns about the impact of climate change on the lives of people in Asia and the Pacific region, as well as on national and regional stability. She highlighted natural disasters and fuel shortages as major obstacles to development in the region, stating that global warming poses a serious risk. Hasina made these remarks during the opening session of the CIRDAP second ministerial meeting on 'Rural development in Asia and the Pacific' in Dhaka. The meeting, attended by representatives from 14 member states of CIRDAP and several non-member countries, is taking place 23 years after the first meeting in 1987. Hasina also noted the challenges posed by urbanization and increasing pressure on fuel resources due to globalization. She emphasized to the leaders of the region the importance of addressing the problems caused by climate change and globalization, warning that without doing so, rural development and poverty eradication efforts will not be successful in the long term. The prime minister highlighted the increasing frequency of natural disasters and the current economic crisis, which are jeopardizing the food security of poor populations. She stressed the need for unity and practical solutions to tackle these common challenges. Additionally, she called for increased investment and exports to counteract the negative effects of globalization, and underscored the importance of recognizing both the challenges and opportunities that globalization presents from a regional perspective. She also noted the threats that climate change poses to low-lying countries. Hasina outlined the poverty reduction efforts of her government, such as creating a poverty reduction strategy paper, enhancing social safety nets, raising agriculture subsidies, and guaranteeing continuous power supply for irrigation. She announced the upcoming launch of the 'one-house one-farm' initiative. Other speakers at the event included CIRDAP chairperson and minister Syed Ashraful Islam, state minister Jahangir Kabir Nanok, division secretary Rokeya Sultana, and director general Durga P Paudyal.