Bangladesh to Demand Grants, Not Loans, at COP31 in Antalya

Bangladesh will press developed countries at COP31 to provide climate finance in the form of grants rather than loans, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said at a briefing at the Foreign Ministry in Dhaka on 2 November, one week before the UN climate summit opens in Antalya, Türkiye.

Speaking to reporters, Shama said Bangladesh would also call on major carbon-emitting countries to take responsibility for their contribution to global emissions and to be held accountable for their commitments under international climate agreements.

“Although Bangladesh’s contribution to global carbon emissions is almost negligible, we are ultimately among those suffering the consequences,” she said, according to reports of the briefing.

Grants, not loans

The grants demand is the centrepiece of Bangladesh’s negotiating position at COP31, which runs from 9 to 20 November at the Antalya Expo Center. Dhaka’s argument is that climate-vulnerable countries should not be pushed further into debt to deal with a crisis they did little to cause.

Climate finance has long been one of the most contested issues at the annual UN climate talks, and Bangladesh’s position echoes a wider call from developing countries for support that does not add to their debt burden. The issue is expected to feature prominently in Antalya, where negotiators will also discuss implementation of the Paris Agreement, adaptation, and the global transition to clean energy.

What Bangladesh will showcase

Alongside its finance demands, Bangladesh will highlight its achievements in climate resilience and its experience in addressing climate impacts across South Asia and the wider Asian region.

Shama said the government would also showcase initiatives taken over the past six months to address climate change and improve the environment, including canal excavation, tree plantation drives and greater emphasis on solar power and renewable energy.

An inter-ministerial coordination meeting chaired by Shama last month reviewed Bangladesh’s preparations for the summit, including possible bilateral meetings and seminars at Bangladesh’s pavilions in the Blue and Green Zones.

Bangladesh is also planning a dedicated Jute Pavilion at COP31 to showcase its environment-friendly jute products, an idea presented at a national dialogue on Bangladesh’s COP31 position in Dhaka on 24 October.

The road to Antalya

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will make a brief visit to Antalya for the two-day World Leaders’ Summit on 11–12 November, where Bangladesh will push its case for grant-based climate financing and greater accountability from major emitters, as previously reported in Bangladesh’s COP31 leaders’ summit plans.

The summit is chaired by COP31 President Murat Kurum of Türkiye, with Australia’s Climate and Energy Minister Chris Bowen serving as President of Negotiations under the partnership arrangement agreed for the conference.

Figures presented at the 24 October dialogue underline the scale of Bangladesh’s financing challenge: its updated Nationally Determined Contribution, NDC 3.0, targets a 20.31 percent cut in greenhouse gas emissions — equivalent to 84.97 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent — by 2035, at an estimated implementation cost of $116.18 billion for 2026–2035, including $90.23 billion in international support. Its National Adaptation Plan for 2023–2050 identifies 113 initiatives requiring approximately $230 billion.

FAKTA

• Summit: COP31, the 31st Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
• Dates and venue: 9–20 November 2026, Antalya Expo Center, Antalya, Türkiye
• World Leaders’ Summit: 11–12 November 2026
• Bangladesh’s headline demand: Climate finance as grants, not loans
• Bangladesh’s NDC 3.0 target: 20.31 percent emissions cut (84.97 million tonnes CO2 equivalent) by 2035
• Estimated NDC cost 2026–2035: $116.18 billion, including $90.23 billion in international support
• Showcase plans: Climate resilience record, Blue and Green Zone pavilions, dedicated Jute Pavilion

Frequently asked questions

What is COP31 and when is it held?

COP31 is the 31st Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. It takes place from 9 to 20 November 2026 at the Antalya Expo Center in Antalya, Türkiye.

Why does Bangladesh want climate finance as grants rather than loans?

Bangladesh argues that its contribution to global carbon emissions is almost negligible, yet it suffers heavily from climate impacts. Loans would add to its debt burden, while grants let vulnerable communities address climate impacts without taking on new debt — a position set out by State Minister Shama Obaed Islam at the 2 November briefing in Dhaka.

What is Bangladesh’s NDC 3.0 target?

Under its updated Nationally Determined Contribution, NDC 3.0, Bangladesh targets a 20.31 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2035, equivalent to 84.97 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, according to figures presented at a national dialogue in Dhaka on 24 October.

What will Bangladesh showcase at COP31?

Bangladesh will highlight its climate resilience achievements and experience across South Asia, recent initiatives including canal excavation, tree plantation drives and solar power, and environment-friendly jute products through a dedicated Jute Pavilion.

Who is attending the World Leaders’ Summit from Bangladesh?

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will make a brief visit to Antalya for the two-day World Leaders’ Summit on 11–12 November, where Bangladesh will press for grant-based climate financing and greater accountability from major carbon emitters.

Bangladesh’s message to Antalya is clear: the countries least responsible for the climate crisis should not have to borrow their way out of it. Whether the summit delivers grant-based finance on the scale Dhaka seeks will be one of the tests of COP31’s promise to turn pledges into action.