New Delhi, Jan.12 (ANI): India and Bangladesh have welcomed the initiatives taken at the Climate Change Summit at Copenhagen in December 2009.

On Monday, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the visiting Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina welcomed the initiatives taken at the Climate Change Summit at Copenhagen in December 2009. They underlined that climate change was one of the most important global challenges.

Both the Prime Ministers reaffirmed the provisions and principles of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), including that of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, and underscored the importance of its full, effective and sustained implementation, giving due consideration to the needs of those which are most vulnerable, especially Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Africa.

Besides, Dr. Singh and Hasina have recognized that the eradication of poverty and ensuring food security were great challenges of the century.

Both agreed that the international community should initiate a fully coordinated response and address these issues in a comprehensive manner, from short to medium and long term. They have also recognized the need to give added focus on rural development policies, transfer and diffusion of technology and development, in particular to enhance agricultural productivity.

Both the leaders underscored the importance of an effective multilateral system, centered on a strong United Nations, as a key factor in tackling global challenges. In this context, they stressed the urgent need to pursue the reform of the United Nations, including the Security Council, to make it more representative, credible and effective, particularly with regard to its working method. They also advocated involvement of smaller countries in the reform process, said the Joint Statement issued by the two governments on Tuesday.

Moreover, Dr. Singh and Hasina also underscored the role of SAARC in promoting regional cooperation. Both leaders agreed to work together in making SAARC a purposeful organization oriented towards implementation, which can revitalize the region through positive measures, concerted action and mutually reinforcing cooperation. (ANI)