Dhaka: Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo today emphasized Bangladesh's minimal contribution to climate change, while highlighting its severe vulnerability to its adverse impacts. He addressed these concerns during a meeting with Asian Development Bank (ADB) Vice-President (South, Central and West Asia) Yingming Yang at his ministry office.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Mintoo stressed the importance of prioritizing both adaptation and mitigation measures to safeguard lives, livelihoods, and natural resources in Bangladesh. He underscored the necessity for adequate, accessible, and long-term financing from development partners, asserting that Bangladesh must first establish its own priorities to ensure the successful implementation of these initiatives.
Mintoo urged for an expansion of ADB's cooperation in areas such as environmental conservation, pollution control, and climate-resilient development. The meeting explored various aspects of the longstanding development partnership between Bangladesh and ADB, focusing on strategies to address climate change impacts and fortify environmentally sustainable development initiatives.
Discussions during the meeting included climate adaptation and mitigation, increasing climate finance, conserving forests and biodiversity, reducing air and plastic pollution, and expanding renewable energy and sustainable urban infrastructure. They also considered the potential for enhancing ADB's technical and financial support to build the capacity of climate-vulnerable communities and develop disaster-resilient infrastructure.
Yingming Yang commended Bangladesh's proactive initiatives in combating climate change and expressed ADB's interest in further strengthening its partnership with Bangladesh in areas such as environmental protection, climate-resilient infrastructure, clean energy, and sustainable development. The meeting concluded with both parties reviewing ongoing cooperation and agreeing to explore new projects and programs of mutual interest, with a shared optimism that regular communication and coordination would advance development cooperation between Bangladesh and ADB.
Additional Secretary Navid Shafiullah and senior officials from ADB were present at the meeting.