An inter-ministerial meeting was held to review Bangladesh’s preparations and participation in the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31), scheduled to take place in Antalya, Turkey, from November 9 to 20. The high-level meeting took place on Saturday (October 17) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), organized in coordination with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).

Discussions focused on outlining Bangladesh’s priority demands, key concerns, and expectations for the COP31 conference. Furthermore, the meeting addressed the Prime Minister’s participation in the conference’s High-Level Segment, as well as preparations for bilateral meetings and seminars to be hosted at the Bangladesh pavilion within the ‘Blue and Green Zones.’ Participants emphasized the need for robust inter-agency coordination among various government bodies to effectively showcase Bangladesh’s climate risks, achievements, and national aspirations on the global stage.

Attendees were also presented with a detailed replica of the ‘Bangladesh Pavilion,’ which is set to be established in the Green Zone of the COP31 conference. The pavilion will feature an exhibition and promotional showcase of jute—often referred to as the ‘golden fiber’ of Bangladesh—along with a variety of eco-friendly, jute-based products, highlighting themes of climate resilience and sustainable technology. The meeting was chaired by State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shama Obaid Islam, MP.

Other notable attendees included Dr. Md. Saimum Parvez, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Environment, Forest and Climate Change; Md. Navid Shafiullah, Additional Secretary and Wing Chief of the Climate Change Wing at the Ministry of Environment; and various other senior officials from both ministries and relevant departments.