Dhaka: Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan announced that Bangladesh is in the final stages of ratifying the ‘European Convention on Shared Lakes and Rivers’ to strengthen its legal position in international water negotiations. Rizwana shared this development while speaking at an international seminar on water and flood management held at CIRDAP, emphasizing the importance of water and ecosystem conservation amid climate change.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Rizwana, who also serves as the water resources adviser, highlighted the strategic need for national preparedness in addressing transboundary water-sharing challenges. She urged stakeholders to unite in taking decisive actions to restore the country’s deteriorating river systems. Discussions have been held with international and bilateral development partners, including the Asian Development Bank (ADB), which has expressed interest in supporting the restoration of the Buriganga River.
Rizwana pointed out the persistent gap between policy formulation and its implementation, stressing that the real challenge is the commitment to enforcement. She emphasized that despite Dhaka’s proximity to seven rivers, the city faces a severe water crisis, and years of ecosystem neglect cannot be reversed instantly.
The adviser warned about the diminishing natural flow in Bangladesh’s river systems due to over-extraction for irrigation, fisheries, and industrial use. Rivers, once reaching the sea, are now reduced to drainage channels for industrial waste, posing a threat to water security and biodiversity.
On flood management, Rizwana underscored Bangladesh’s alarming ranking in climate vulnerability indices and the need for investments in river navigability, flood protection, and community preparedness. She stressed the importance of effective early warning systems and accessible communication with vulnerable populations.
Rizwana cautioned against normalizing excessive flooding and advocated for targeted budget allocations to protect agriculture, fisheries, river transport, and water supply. She called for the global community’s responsibility in safeguarding major river systems and sharing real-time data to mitigate flood risks.
As climate change accelerates, she advocated for a proactive and preventive approach, emphasizing that adaptation has its limits. She reiterated that climate change is a shared global responsibility and not just Bangladesh’s battle alone.
The seminar was chaired by Professor Abu Borhan Mohammad Badruzzaman, Vice Chancellor of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET). Other notable speakers included Nazmul Ahsan, Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources; S. M. Mahbubur Rahman, Executive Director, Institute of Water Modelling (IWM); Malik Fida A Khan, Executive Director, Centre for Environmental and Geographic Information Services (CEGIS); Dr. Md. Moniruzzaman, Deputy Managing Director, Dhaka WASA; and Professor GM Tarekul Islam, Chair of the Organizing Committee, ICWFM 2025.