(BSS) - Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, in his address to the High-Level Segment of COP31, called for grant-based financing instead of loans to help climate-vulnerable countries tackle the adverse impacts of climate change, BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said today.

"The prime minister said in his speech that we need grants, not loans. Loans will further increase the country`s debt burden. We need grants to tackle climate change risks," he said.

Rizvi, also Political Adviser to the Prime Minister, made the remarks at a press briefing at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport this morning, after receiving the premier on his return home from the 31st UN Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Turkiye.

A Turkish Airlines flight carrying the prime minister, his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and members of his entourage landed at the airport at 5:40 am.

Rizvi said the prime minister presented before world leaders Bangladesh`s needs and the actions required to tackle climate risks.

He said the prime minister put forward five proposals on behalf of Bangladesh to reduce the risks of global warming, including climate finance, debt, grants, financing for renewable energy and ensuring access to modern technology.

"The prime minister emphasised international cooperation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. He also discussed the issue with the Australian Prime Minister," Rizvi said.

Highlighting the Prime Minister`s climate initiatives, Rizvi said the Prime Minister had announced a plan to plant 250 million trees over the next five years. Around 30 to 40 million trees have already been planted under the programme in seven to eight months, with government agencies, non-government organisations, schools and colleges taking part.

Rizvi said rising temperatures around the world and resulting deaths reflect the severity of climate change. People have died in several European countries this year due to severe heat waves, he said, stressing the need for global initiatives and mutual cooperation.

"The proposals placed by the prime minister at the conference can play an important role in strengthening climate adaptation. If implemented, Bangladesh and other vulnerable countries will benefit in tackling climate risks," he said.

Describing the visit as fruitful, Rizvi said presenting Bangladesh`s position, initiatives and future plans on tackling climate challenges before world leaders had put the focus on increasing international cooperation.

The prime minister arrived in Antalya on November 10 on a three-day visit to attend COP31 and the Antalya Leaders` Summit.

On Thursday, he addressed the High-Level Segment of COP31, calling for five urgent actions on behalf of climate-vulnerable countries.

On the sidelines of the conference, he held bilateral meetings with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and UK Foreign Secretary Edward Miliband.

He also held courtesy meetings with the Presidents of Brazil, the Maldives, Iran, Syria and Somalia, and the Prime Ministers of Moldova, Pakistan and Kuwait, and met the Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Mayor of London and representatives of various international organisations.