Dhaka: The Government of Bangladesh and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), have partnered to drive locally-led climate adaptation initiatives across five of the country’s most vulnerable agro-ecological zones (AEZs), strengthening Bangladesh’s climate resilience.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the initiative was launched ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) with a signing ceremony for the project ‘Integrating Climate Change Adaptation into Sustainable Development Pathways of Bangladesh.’ The event took place at the Economic Relations Division’s conference room, marking a significant step towards enhancing local adaptation efforts.
The agreement was formalized by Stefan Liller, Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh, and Md. Shahriar Kader Siddiky, Secretary of the Economic Relations Division. Shahriar Kader Siddiky highlighted the daily challenges posed by climate change impacts in Bangladesh, such as this yea
r’s flash floods and prolonged rainfall. He emphasized the importance of ongoing efforts to strengthen the capacities of local governments and stakeholders to maintain progress in climate resilience, warning of severe consequences if action is not taken promptly.
Stefan Liller remarked on the need for localized solutions to address climate change challenges. He expressed that the partnership with the Government of Bangladesh aims to empower communities and local governments to build climate resilience and advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ensuring inclusivity and leaving no one behind.