Mintoo seeks int'l cooperation to address growing climate risks

Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Abdul Awal Mintoo has said since Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change, adaptation activities must be made more effective considering local realities.

At the same time, he said, it is essential to ensure a balance between the conservation of the environment and natural resources, and the promotion of people's livelihoods and economic development, said a press release.

The environment minister said this when Stephen Rodrigues, resident representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Bangladesh, met him at his Secretariat office in the capital on Thursday.

State Minister for Environment Shaikh Faridul Islam was also present during the meeting.

During the meeting, emphasis was placed on strengthening cooperation regarding climate resilience, financing for biodiversity conservation, and facilitating Bangladesh's entry into carbon markets.

The existing cooperation between Bangladesh and the UNDP in the environment, forest, and climate change sectors was reviewed, and discussions were held on further expanding this collaboration in the future.

Key topics of discussion included the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) formulated by Bangladesh for biodiversity and ecosystem conservation, the National Cooling Plan (NCP) for low-carbon development, climate change adaptation and impact mitigation, pollution control, plastic waste management, and enhancing the climate resilience of local communities.

Speaking at the meeting, Mintoo said Bangladesh is working to address the impacts of climate change by leveraging its own resources and capabilities.

However, he said, international cooperation, accessible climate finance, technology transfer, and capacity-building are crucial to tackling escalating climate risks.

He laid importance on making long-standing partnership with the UNDP even more practical and fruitful.

Faridul Islam emphasised the need for increasing the involvement of local governments and communities in climate adaptation activities.

He particularly highlighted the necessity of expanding nature-based solutions and climate-resilient livelihood initiatives in climate-vulnerable areas, such as coastal regions, riverine islands (chars), hilly areas, haor basins, and the drought-prone Barind tract.

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The state minister also put emphasis on strengthening UNDP's technical support to secure increased funding from international climate funds and development partners for the implementation of Bangladesh's national climate commitments.

Stephen Rodriques reiterated UNDP's commitment to supporting Bangladesh's climate-resilient and eco-friendly development.

He stated that UNDP is keen to work in alignment with the government of Bangladesh's priorities regarding climate adaptation, nature and biodiversity conservation, addressing pollution and plastic waste, climate finance, and enhancing local-level resilience.

He added that UNDP would continue to provide necessary technical support and partnerships to scale up successful initiatives by engaging government institutions, local communities, development partners, the private sector, and other stakeholders.

Both parties agreed to accelerate the implementation of ongoing joint projects and identify new areas of cooperation focusing on climate adaptation, ecosystem restoration, financing for biodiversity conservation, mitigation of global warming, air pollution control, and carbon credits.

Fahmida Khanam, acting secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and senior officials from UNDP were present.