A high-level delegation from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), led by Resident Representative Stefan Liller, met with Syeda Rizwana Hasan, the Advisor on Environment, Forests, Climate Change, and Water Resources, at her office in the Bangladesh Secretariat on Sunday.
The discussions covered a range of critical environmental and climate change issues facing Bangladesh.
Key topics included enhancing collaboration between the Government of Bangladesh and UNDP on sustainable environmental management, climate resilience, climate change adaptation, ecosystem-based management in Ecologically Critical Areas (ECAs), community-based management in haor regions, sustainable energy, low-carbon urban development, climate-resilient livelihoods, sustainable land management to combat climate change vulnerability, and the reduction of hazardous chemicals.
Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan emphasised the importance of continued partnership and innovative solutions to address environmental challenges in Bangladesh. She stressed the need to explore new collaboration opportunities and strengthen ongoing initiatives aimed at protecting the environment and promoting sustainable development.
Resident Representative Liller reaffirmed UNDP's commitment to supporting Bangladesh in achieving its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in combating climate change and preserving natural resources.
Earlier, a French delegation led by French Ambassador to Bangladesh, Marie Masdupuy, also met with Syeda Rizwana Hasan.
Their discussions focused on collaboration in areas such as forest protection, transboundary air pollution, river pollution, ecosystem preservation, industrial pollution, and the protection of hill ecosystems, including the Sundarbans, Sal forests, and the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT). The meeting also addressed the urgent enforcement of a ban on polythene shopping bags, climate action collaboration, National Adaptation Plan (NAP) implementation, coastal afforestation, and the Adaptation Pact.
Following the meetings, Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan briefed the media and answered their questions.
