Dhaka: The government of Bangladesh, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has launched a new project today, to promote low-carbon urban development in Dhaka, Chattogram, and other major cities. Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the initiative aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and foster sustainable urban growth through greater investment in energy efficiency, renewable energy, and waste-to-energy solutions.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the five-year initiative titled 'Promoting Energy-Related Low Carbon Urban Development (LCUD) in Bangladesh' will be executed by the Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA) under the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources (MoPEMR), said a press release. Launched ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30), the signing ceremony took place at the Economic Relations Division (ERD) conference room in Dhaka.
Md. Shahriar Kader Siddiky, Secretary of the Economic Relations Division, and Nur Ahmed, Additional Secretary of the Power Division, along with Stefan Liller, Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh, signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations. Speaking at the ceremony, Md. Shahriar Kader Siddiky underscored the government's commitment to climate-smart development, emphasizing the project's role in building vital knowledge and capacity for better waste management and clean energy solutions in urban areas.
In his speech, UNDP Resident Representative Stefan Liller reaffirmed UNDP's strong collaboration with the government of Bangladesh in advancing clean energy and sustainable urbanisation. He highlighted the project's addition to the longstanding partnership with the government, aiming to advance sustainable, low-carbon urban development in the country.
Nur Ahmed, Additional Secretary, Power Division, noted that the project would catalyse investment and innovation in low-carbon infrastructure, setting an example for other urban centres across Bangladesh. He expressed confidence in the project's impact and commitment to ensuring its successful implementation.
Prominent figures present at the signing ceremony included A K M Sohel, Additional Secretary, Wing Chief, United Nations, ERD, Sardar M. Asaduzzaman, UNDP Bangladesh Assistant Resident Representative, Muzaffar Ahmad, Chairman, SREDA, and Engineer Md. Mujibur Rahman, Director (Deputy Secretary), Renewable Energy Development, SREDA.
Through strategic collaboration and innovative solutions, the LCUD project is expected to create a replicable model for climate-resilient and energy-efficient cities, contributing to Bangladesh's transition towards a greener and more sustainable future, the press release added.