Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forest, Climate Change, and Water Resources of Bangladesh, emphasised the need for regional collaboration between Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan during a meeting at the Bangladesh Pavilion at the ongoing World Climate Conference (COP-29).
The discussion, also attended by Bangladesh Environment Secretary Dr. Farhina Ahmed and the Environment Secretaries of Nepal and Bhutan, focused on actionable joint initiatives to address pressing climate challenges.
Rizwana Hasan highlighted the interconnectedness of key sectors—energy, agriculture, forestry, and rivers—with climate resilience. She urged the three countries to prioritize collaborative strategies in these areas, emphasizing sustainable practices that genuinely benefit communities over false solutions often promoted by corporate interests.
“Let’s work together to outline steps for effective collaboration and progress. These sectors are interconnected with climate resilience and provide significant opportunities for collaboration and shared learning,” said Hasan.
The Advisor underscored the importance of sharing experiences in forest conservation, renewable energy investments, and strategies for climate adaptation. She called for regional investment in sustainable energy transitions to meet growing demands while reducing emissions. Rivers were highlighted as a critical focus, with proposals to address challenges linked to agriculture, price-sensitive crops, and geopolitical barriers to resource sharing.
Innovative approaches such as community seed banks and resilient crop varieties were also proposed as practical solutions. Hasan noted that these measures require minimal political hurdles and could provide significant benefits across the region.
Later, Rizwana Hasan joined discussions with ministers from Least Developed Countries, reaffirming Bangladesh’s commitment to collaborative and climate-resilient development pathways. The meeting demonstrated the shared resolve of Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan to advance regional cooperation in tackling climate challenges.
