Dhaka: Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan emphasized the necessity of technical and financial support to achieve climate justice. ‘Forming a collaborative group comprising Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal would be a highly positive step toward strengthening regional cooperation in climate negotiations. Planned communication, exchange of information and joint initiatives will make climate diplomacy more effective,’ she stated while addressing a workshop titled ‘The Draft Position Paper for COP-30’ at the Department of Environment (DoE) in Agargaon.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Rizwana highlighted the ongoing discussions about the USD 100 billion global climate fund and noted the significant gap in its effective implementation. She underscored the importance of enhancing Bangladesh’s stance in global climate negotiations and pointed out the need for increased activity in areas such as climate justice, funding, projections, and workers’ rights. She remarked that coordinated action, rather than protests and goodwill, is essential.
The workshop was chaired by Dr. Md. Kamruzzaman, Director General of the Department of Environment. Other notable speakers included Environment, Forest and Climate Change Secretary Dr. Farhina Ahmed, Additional Secretary Mohammad Navid Shafiullah, climate expert Dr. Ainun Nishat, Joint Secretary Dharitri Kumar Sarkar, and Director (Climate Change and International Convention) Mirza Shawkat Ali.
During the discussion, climate experts and activists called for a stronger and more strategic position for Bangladesh at the upcoming COP-30 conference. Earlier, Rizwana attended a roundtable discussion on the Bangladesh Steel Industry at The Business Standard office, emphasizing environment-friendly construction practices and sustainable industrialization.
Later, she met with Dr. Ir. Valantine Achncho, Country Director and Representative of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), at the Department of Environment in Agargaon.