Climate finance must continue post-LDC graduation

Civil society representatives from Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal urged the international community to allocate climate finance based on climate risks and adaptation needs rather than traditional economic indicators.
Speaking at a press conference at the National Press Club in Dhaka on Saturday, they argued that Bangladesh should continue receiving concessional and grant-based climate finance even after graduating from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category, emphasising that economic progress does not diminish climate vulnerability.
The event, held ahead of the 31st UN Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye (9-20 November), highlighted the shared climate risks facing the three South Asian nations due to their geographic proximity, the Himalayan range, and interconnected river systems.
Presiding over the press conference, Md Shamsuddoha, chief executive of the Centre for Participatory Research and Development (CPRD) and coordinator of Climate Justice Alliance-Bangladesh, noted that while Bhutan has graduated from LDC status and Bangladesh and Nepal are set to follow, their vulnerability remains critical. 
He called for unified advocacy and stronger regional cooperation heading into COP31.
The press conference, titled “Addressing LDC-Graduation Paradox and Climate Risks in BBN: Urgency for a Vulnerability-Based Adaptation Narrative under UNFCCC,” was jointly organised by CPRD, Climate Justice Alliance-Bangladesh, the Coastal and Sundarban Protection Movement, Climate Action Forum, and the Shariatpur Development Society.
Presenting the keynote paper, CPRD Programme Manager for Research and Advocacy Sumaiya Binte Anwar stressed the need to reform international climate finance and adaptation frameworks.
She said countries’ climate vulnerability and adaptation needs should not be assessed solely through conventional economic development indicators.
Shariatpur Development Society Executive Director Rabeya Begum said LDC graduation should not be mistaken for graduation from climate vulnerability.
She warned against using economic development progress as a justification for reducing international adaptation support.
Climate Action Forum President Aminur Rasul said the adaptation needs and right to survival of climate-vulnerable communities must not be subordinated to the economic interests of developed countries.
Coastal and Sundarban Protection Movement Coordinator Nikhil Chandra said adaptation and mitigation should be treated as complementary pillars of climate action.
He urged developed countries to provide adequate adaptation finance in line with their historical responsibility for climate change.
The civil society representatives placed three key demands ahead of COP31: prioritising adaptation in global climate negotiations, ensuring continued access to concessional and grant-based climate finance after LDC graduation, and strengthening regional cooperation among Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal.
They also called for climate finance decisions to give greater weight to vulnerability, climate risks and human rights, alongside stronger transparency and accountability through joint regional initiatives.
Among others, former Dhaka Reporters Unity President Rafiqul Islam Azad; Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University Assistant Professor of Aquaculture Mir Mohammad Ali; Habibur Rahman of Sachetan Foundation; and Md Anwar Hossain of Riverine People spoke at the event.