Dhaka: The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD) to address the adverse impacts of climate change, build institutional capacity, and leverage international climate finance opportunities. The agreement was signed today at the ministry's conference room here, a ministry press release said.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Baby Rani Karmakar, Joint Secretary (international agencies and cooperation wing) of the ministry, and Dr Fazle Rabbi Sadeque Ahmed, research and policy adviser at ICCCAD, signed the MoU on behalf of their respective sides. Presiding over the ceremony, Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Md Delwar Hossain highlighted the critical challenge climate change poses to the fisheries and livestock sectors. He emphasized that the activities under this agreement must deliver tangible contributions to these sectors and urged ministry officials and subordinate departments to maximize the training and technical support provided.
The secretary mentioned that the initiative would open new avenues to counter climate vulnerabilities while accessing international collaboration and climate financing. Under the MoU, ICCCAD will support the ministry, its departments, and research institutions in developing institutional capacity on national and international climate issues.
Furthermore, the partnership will provide technical assistance for mainstreaming climate change considerations in ministry policies, programmes, and operations. It will also strengthen participation and leadership in international forums and policy dialogues. ICCCAD will conduct training sessions and provide necessary support to enhance the skills of ministry officials attending the UN Climate Change Conferences (COP).
Md Mir Hossain from the Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation, Nilufa Akter, Additional Secretary of the ministry; Dr Md Khaled Kanak, Director General of the Department of Fisheries; Dr Md Latiful Islam, Director General of the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute; Dr Md Habibur Rahman, Chief of the Planning and Evaluation Cell at the Department of Livestock Services; and Sakib Huq, Managing Director of ICCCAD, among others, were present.