The United States would continue to provide assistance for addressing the climate-change issues in Bangladesh, US Ambassador James F Moriarty said Sunday, as the matter was on top of the agenda of global forums, reports UNB.

He held out the assurance when a delegation led by him met Dr Hasan Mahmud, State Minister for Environment and Forest, at his Secretariat office.

The five-member delegation included USAID director Denise Rollins, Chief of USAID economic growth office Naren Chanmugam and team leader of USAID environment section Azharul Mojumder.

Quoting the US Ambassador after the meeting, Dr Hasan Mahmud told reporters that the US administration, in comparison to any other times, "is more willing to provide assistance to Bangladesh to address the environmental issues".

He said during the meeting, they discussed in detail the USAID-funded project on Integrated Protected Area Co-management (IPAC) conducted in the country's Chittagong hill areas.

The State Minister for Environment and Forest said Bangladesh has demanded $ 500 million from the multi-donor trust fund as immediate necessity for the vulnerability caused in the country due to climate change. "This fund should be provided by the responsible parties," he said.

Classifying countries in three categories-developed, fast developing and vulnerable---Dr Mahmud said the responsibilities of all countries should be emphasised in ensuring adaptation to climate change.

"Risk of vulnerability and the number of human exposures should be considered while disbursing the funds on climate change," he added.

Replying to a question the State Minister said the present government was very sincere about the environment issues in Bangladesh and presently some Tk 7.0 billion (700 crore) has been allocated in the budget to tackle the adversities.