Dhaka: Speakers at an event emphasized the critical need for ongoing support from development partners to effectively combat the impacts of climate change, as the government of Bangladesh implements various programs amidst resource constraints. They highlighted that Bangladesh incurs an annual GDP loss of 1-2% due to climate change-induced events such as floods, droughts, cyclones, tidal surges, and heatwaves.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, these insights were shared during the closing ceremony of a PKSF project, ‘Climate-resilient Infrastructure for Sustainable Community Life in the Haor Region of Bangladesh’ (giz-Haor), held at PKSF Bhaban in the capital. The project was funded by the German government, reflecting international collaboration in addressing climate impacts.
The event featured notable attendees including PKSF Chairman Zakir Ahmed Khan, who presided over the ceremony, and Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky, Secretary of the Economic Relations Division (ERD), who served as the chief guest. Special guests included Dr. Fahmida Khanom, Additional Secretary (Environment Wing) at the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and Ulrich Kleppmann, Deputy Head of Development Cooperation at the German Embassy in Bangladesh. PKSF Managing Director Md Fazlul Kader delivered the welcome address, while presentations were made by PKSF Deputy Managing Director Dr. Fazle Rabbi Sadeque Ahmed and General Manager Dr. AKM Nuruzzaman.
Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky noted that the government has executed over 800 projects via the Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund, allocating 6-7% of its annual budget to combat climate change. He highlighted that Bangladesh’s Direct Access Entities to the Green Climate Fund, PKSF and IDCOL, have secured $447.3 million for numerous projects and capacity-building initiatives. He expressed hope that PKSF would scale up the outcomes of the giz-Haor project.
Zakir Ahmed Khan assured that PKSF maintains high standards in its interventions through integrity, transparency, and meticulous monitoring. He expressed confidence in PKSF’s continued efforts towards sustainable and inclusive development by bolstering the adaptation capacities of climate-vulnerable communities.
Ulrich Kleppmann reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to ongoing cooperation, noting that the German government currently supports 53 development projects in Bangladesh. Dr. Fahmida Khanom emphasized the necessity of collective efforts among government, private institutions, and NGOs to address climate change impacts.
PKSF Managing Director Md Fazlul Kader highlighted PKSF’s role as a Direct Access Entity to both the Green Climate Fund and the Adaptation Fund, implementing initiatives to address floods, droughts, and salinity. These initiatives aim to enhance adaptation capacity and improve the quality of life for vulnerable communities through sustainable agriculture, water resource management, and disaster risk reduction.
The giz-Haor project has successfully constructed climate-resilient infrastructures such as CC block revetments and retaining walls in three Unions of Sunamganj district, protecting approximately 7,500 families from flash flood-induced erosion. The project also elevated community spaces for food crop preservation, thereby enhancing economic resilience. Tree planting along the structures has contributed to local biodiversity conservation, and 1.54 km of protection walls were built in Jamalganj and Derai upazilas.