Colombo: Bangladesh has reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to strengthen regional cooperation in climate resilience and disaster risk reduction. Secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR) Mostafizur Rahman made this commitment at the 4th Ministerial Conference of the Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES) in Colombo, Sri Lanka, said a press release received here today.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Mostafizur Rahman, speaking at the high-level conference, emphasized the importance of partnerships, innovation, and community-centered approaches to build a safer and more climate-resilient future. “We believe through partnership, innovation and people-centered approaches, we can translate early warnings into early actions to protect lives and livelihoods of millions,” he stated. The Bangladesh delegation also included Additional Secretary and Director of the Cyclone Preparedness Programme (CPP) Ahmadul Haque and Director of the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) Momenul Islam.
The 4th RIMES Ministerial Conference, hosted by the Government of Sri Lanka, marks a strategic milestone for the institution as it adopts the RIMES Master Plan 2026-2030. RIMES is an international and intergovernmental institution involving African and Asian countries. Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Dr. Harini Amarasuriya inaugurated the conference under the theme ‘Actionable Early Warnings and Climate Services for All’, with representatives from 62 RIMES member and collaborating states and development partners in attendance to advance regional resilience amid escalating climate and disaster risks. Bangladesh has been a key member of RIMES for over two decades.
RIMES Director General Arjunapermal Subbiah highlighted that the ministerial conference has taken steps to align priorities under a shared Master Plan. Since 2017, RIMES has developed a Data Exchange Platform and country-customized decision support systems. RIMES plays a critical role in building capacity for the generation and application of people-centered multi-hazard early warning information.
Through collaboration, RIMES has supported the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) and the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) in utilizing advanced forecasting tools to enhance community resilience. This partnership has significantly contributed to Bangladesh’s transition from reactive disaster response to proactive, anticipatory action. The robust cooperation between the Government of Bangladesh and RIMES continues to improve the country’s forecasting capabilities, disaster preparedness, and climate service delivery.