DHAKA, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- During the week of World Children's Day, Bangladeshi children call on national leaders to renew their commitment and take climate actions to ensure a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable future.

They highlight the urgent need to invest in climate education, water, and sanitation services for children, and engage them as active participants in decision-making processes that shape their life, ahead of COP28, the annual United Nations (UN) climate meeting taking place in Dubai from Nov. 30 to Dec.12, said the United Nations children's fund UNICEF Sunday.

As a continuation of the first Children's Climate Summit in November 2020, which engaged over 1 million children in Bangladesh, a representation of children sent a revised version of the Children's Climate Declaration to the Speaker's Office of the Bangladesh National Parliament, it said in a statement.

The updated Declaration emerged from a UNICEF-supported collaborative consultation with 35 children representing all eight divisions of Bangladesh. Children, including youth advocates, climate activists, climate change-impacted children and child journalists collectively assessed the progress of the Children's Climate Declaration, identified challenges, and outlined a path forward.

"In the face of recent cyclones, droughts, floods and heavy rains, we've suffered the loss of our loved ones, and the mental and physical toll has become overwhelming for us," said Naier Haque from Chittagong Division, on behalf of the children at the consultation.

"There's an urgent need to increase investments to address the impacts of climate change on our lives," she added.

Shamsul Haque Tuku, Bangladeshi deputy parliament speaker, said, "The children of Bangladesh are our most valuable stakeholders of the climate crisis. We must not merely articulate our commitment to child-centered climate policies but actively implement them."

"UNICEF remains steadfast in its commitment to amplifying the voices of children and youth, ensuring they are active participants in shaping their future," said Sheldon Yett, UNICEF representative in Bangladesh.

Bangladeshi children are among the most severely impacted by climate change. One in three children in Bangladesh are seriously exposed to climate hazards. Among them, 5 million are under the age of five; 12 million children live near areas prone to flooding; and 4.5 million children reside in coastal areas exposed to intense cyclones. Enditem

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