On 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟰, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱, a national seminar was held at the 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗮𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗵 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 (𝗕𝗜𝗠), Dhaka, to reflect on Bangladesh’s climate challenges and priorities ahead of 𝗖𝗢𝗣 𝟯𝟬. The event brought together policymakers, climate experts, development practitioners, and civil society representatives for a robust exchange of ideas.

Chaired by 𝗗𝗿. 𝗞𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗸𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝘇𝗶𝘇𝘂𝗹 𝗜𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗺, 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝗕𝗜𝗠, 𝗠𝗿. 𝗦𝗵𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗛𝗮𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗱𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘆, 𝗻𝗱𝗰, 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆, 𝗜𝗖𝗧 𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻, as the Chief Guest, and 𝗗𝗿. 𝗔𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗻 𝗡𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗮𝘁, 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗿 𝗘𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘀 & 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗿, 𝗖𝟯𝗘𝗥, 𝗕𝗥𝗔𝗖 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆, as the principal discussant.

Other distinguished panelists included:

Prof. Dr. Md. Niamul Naser, University of Dhaka.

Prof. Dr. Harold Sougato Baroi, University of Rajshahi.

Md. Amir Hosain Chowdhury, Chief Conservator of Forests, Forest Department.

Md. Shamsuddoha, Chief Executive, Center for Participatory Research and Development.

1. M. Mehedi Ahsan, International Team Leader, Climate Change Adapted Urban Development Program (Phase II)—Khulna.

In his keynote remarks, the Chief Guest stressed the government’s initiatives to foster collaboration between government institutions, academia, and the private sector in tackling climate change. He also highlighted the urgent need to develop 𝗮 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘀 to strengthen Bangladesh’s capacity for climate solutions.

The discussions highlighted:

• 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗮𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗵’𝘀 𝗮𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘃𝘂𝗹𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀–from rising sea levels to erratic floods and cyclones, the risks are real and demand urgent action.
• 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆–strengthening our institutions, knowledge base, and skilled human resources is key to tackling the climate crisis effectively.
• 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀–government, academia, civil society, and the private sector must come together to create holistic and sustainable solutions.
• 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲–climate-resilient adaptation, a just energy transition, and fair access to international climate finance are essential for protecting communities and securing Bangladesh’s rightful place in global climate negotiations.

The seminar was 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗖𝗖𝗗𝗕 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗕𝗜𝗠, with both institutions presenting their ongoing activities to support Bangladesh’s climate journey.

Together, we are working to ensure that Bangladesh’s voice is stronger and more effective in the global climate arena at 𝗖𝗢𝗣 𝟯𝟬.

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