President of the Maldives Mohamed Nasheed expressed his gratitude to Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina for her strong leadership in arranging funds for the Least Developed Countries, including his country, to face the challenges of the global climate change.

‘Sheikh Hasina not only in Bangladesh but also made the whole world aware of the adverse impact of the global warming,’ he said during a bilateral talks with Sheikh Hasina at the UN headquarters on the sidelines of the 64th UN General Assembly session began here on Wednesday.

In this context, the Maldives president referred to Sheikh Hasina’s address to the last World Climate Conference-3 in Geneva and appreciated her for playing a prudent role in the conference to tackle global climate change caused by excessive carbon emission by the developed nations.

President Nasheed mentioned his government plan for expansion of higher education and sought further cooperation of the government of Bangladesh for opening a University in his country.

In reply, Sheikh Hasina assured the Maldives president of providing every necessary support in expansion of higher education in Maldives, said prime minister’s press secretary Abul Kalam Azad while briefing newsmen after the meeting.

Lauding the role of the present democratic government led by Sheikh Hasina, Mohamed Nasheed said Bangladesh can help Maldives in further strengthening democracy in his island country.

State minister for forest and environment Hasan Mahmud, ambassador M Ziauddin and foreign secretary Mijarul Quayes were present on the occasion.