Interim government Chief Advisor Dr Yunus has sought global leader's cooperation for the safe energy transition of Bangladesh saying that the Paris Agreement, the global accord for limiting the effects of climate change, won't work as long as the world sticks with the current economic system.
"The economic system we have built is the key to the destruction of this planet," said Yunus. He added that humans had created a "self-destructive civilization." That system, he said, is centered on maximising profits, creating wealth for a tiny group of people and generating massive waste.
He discussed the issue when addressing a meeting with the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, the World Bank, Ajay Banga, USAID Administrator Samantha Power, has said his country wants to invest in solar panels manufacturing in Bangladesh and further deepen trade and economic ties with Bangladesh.
To fulfill Bangladesh's dream to produces more energy from green sources, Dr Yunus holds meeting with the World Bank President discussed the energy sector cooperation in South Asia and how hydro energy produced in Nepal and Bhutan could be shared by neighbours such as India and Bangladesh.
The Nobel laureate and pioneer of microfinance said that no matter what changes were made to the agreement, it would not make a difference until the world's underlying systems were redesigned.
Developing countries like Bangladesh should not have to bear the burden of the climate damage done by their wealthier counterparts, he said.
"Why should we carry the burden of all the destruction that you put on us?" Yunus said. "You are the cause, we are the result."
He added that individuals should also bear the responsibility of producing less waste and shrinking their fossil fuel footprint.
He made the announcement when he called on Bangladesh Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on the sideline of the UN General Assembly at the UN headquarters on Wednesday afternoon (NY time).
Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has discussed diverse areas to deepen cooperation between Bangladesh and the USA with USAID Administrator Samantha Power and Nepal's Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli in separate meetings on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly
"They specifically discussed cooperation in the areas of transport, energy, justice and youth," Shafiql Alam, press secretary said.
Prof Yunus also met with USAID - US Agency for International Development - Administrator Samantha PowerWorld Bank President Ajay Banga; global CEO of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Mark Suzman.
Prof Yunus also addressed a UN high-level event on Social Business, Youth and Technology, and met with a group of human rights CSOs.
