Staff Reporter

Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, emphasized the need for greater financial and institutional support for the ministry. She said Govt Launched Bangladesh Climate Development Partnership (BCDP) to Foster Collaboration and Mobilize Climate Funds. She stressed that external funding must be sought with integrity, ensuring the empowerment of the ministry while avoiding duplication of efforts. She also called for concessional loans to ensure sustainability, highlighting the government’s commitment to prioritizing climate change initiatives.

Speaking at the “Inception Workshop with Development Partners on Operationalizing the Bangladesh Climate Development Partnership (BCDP)” hosted by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MOEFCC) at the Bangladesh Water Development Board, Pani Bhaban on Sunday, Rizwana Hasan described the BCDP as a vital platform for mobilizing resources, fostering collaboration, and building a resilient, sustainable future. Supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the BCDP aims to address climate challenges through low-carbon, climate-resilient development strategies.

The Advisor noted that the government has established mechanisms to channel funds efficiently and prioritize their use effectively. She urged stronger collaboration with civil society, emphasizing the need for greater youth and civil society representation in climate initiatives. She instructed Group 3 to address these gaps urgently.

She further remarked, The BCDP symbolizes a multi-stakeholder approach, bringing together the government, private sector, and development partners to scale up and implement climate adaptation and mitigation strategies. Through BCDP, we aim to ensure that every taka invested in climate action creates meaningful, sustainable impacts for our people and ecosystems.

Rizwana Hasan also called for integrating environmental protection and sustainable development into national policy. She stressed the importance of avoiding environmentally harmful projects, such as hill cutting for road construction, and urged the Planning Commission and other agencies to prioritize green and sustainable projects. “We can set an example for the world on how to channel climate funds with urgency, transparency, and inclusivity,” she stated.

The workshop, Chaired and moderated by Dr. Farhina Ahmed, Secretary, MOEFCC, featured a panel discussion with key officials, including Iqbal Abdullah Harun, Secretary, Planning Division; Dr. A. K. M. Shahabuddin, Additional Secretary, Economic Relations Division; and Na Won Kim, Country Operations Head, Bangladesh Resident Mission, ADB, among others. Dr. Fahmida Khanom, Additional Secretary, MOEFCC, presented an in-depth overview of the BCDP.

The workshop concluded with the official launch of the BCDP Web Portal and Secretariat by the Chief Guest. Representatives from government ministries, development partners, private sectors, NGOs, and climate experts attended the event, aligning priorities and defining actionable steps for operationalizing BCDP.

Later, Takeo Konishi, Director General, South Asia Regional Department, ADB, called on Environment and Water Resources Advisor and expressed ADB’s commitment to mobilizing concessional and green financing to accelerate Bangladesh’s climate resilience and sustainable development.