Dhaka:The University of Dhaka and Stockholm University are set to jointly organize a policy dialogue on Black Carbon and other Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (SLCPs) on November 1, in collaboration with the Clean Air Fund. The event will take place at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo is expected to address the inaugural session as the chief guest. The event will also feature Adviser to the Prime Minister and PMO Spokesperson Dr. Mahdi Amin, Principal Coordinator (SDG Affairs) at the Prime Minister's Office Prof Dr. S M Abdul Awal, and Ambassador of Sweden to Bangladesh Nicolas Weeks as special guests. DU Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) Prof Dr. Abdus Salam will deliver the welcome address and outline the objectives and programme of the dialogue.
The dialogue aims to bring together scientists, policymakers, government representatives, international organizations, civil society members, business leaders, and key stakeholders to discuss actions on SLCPs that are informed by science. These discussions will focus on advancing climate objectives, improving air quality, and protecting public health across South Asia.
This event is part of a longstanding collaboration between Bangladesh and Sweden in atmospheric science, climate, and air-pollution policy. It will celebrate significant milestones in this partnership, such as the Bangladesh Climate Observatory Bhola, a project jointly operated by DU and Stockholm University since 2013, and the 2011 Bangladesh-Sweden policy dialogue in Dhaka, which contributed to international cooperation on SLCPs through the Climate and Clean Air Coalition.
The dialogue will address the severe challenges South Asia faces from air pollution and climate change, which have significant impacts on human health, food and water security, sea-level rise, extreme weather, livelihoods, and economic development. The focus will be on using regionally generated, policy-relevant science to identify priorities for SLCP mitigation, atmospheric measurements and verification, risk assessment, and integrated climate and air-quality action.