While adaptation is a major priority, Bangladesh has also shown its commitment to low carbon development in its quest for sustainable development, he said at the opening ceremony of the 7th annual Global Gobeshona Conference held virtually on Locally Led Adaptation.

The programme was hosted jointly by the International Centre for Climate Change (ICCCAD), Global Centre on Adaptation (GCA) and Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF).

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Minister Shahab Uddin said the government will also develop a greenbelt along the coastline to reduce the intensity of storm surge and to sequester carbon.

He noted that his ministry is mandated to provide full support to the vulnerable population in the hardest to reach areas of the country.

“The Ministry will continue to serve the people left behind with its dedicated departments,” he was quoted as saying in a handout from the ministry.

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He said the government has initiated the development of a National Adaptation Plan while the long-term strategic 100-year Delta Plan 2100 has been approved and adopted. 

“As Bangladesh assumed the Presidency of Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) and the Vulnerable Twenty (V20) Group of Finance Ministers, we will work towards urgently strengthened climate action to enhance current and future resilience,” the minister said.

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Co-chair of GCA Ban Ki-Moon, Foreign Minister Abdul Momen, Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change Saber Hossain Chowdhury and distinguished fellow of GCA Abul Kalam Azad spoke among others. Proff Dr Saleemul Huq Director of ICCCAD presided over the Webinar.