Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Saturday called on the youths and the civil society to join hands with the government in building a sustainable and resilient future.

"The government is doing its best to tackle the climate challenges,” said Momen, adding “I strongly believe that participation from the youth and civil society can bring the best results for Bangladesh to achieve sustainable solutions."

He was addressing at the Climate Camp 2021, where Nahim Razzaq, MP and Abul Kalam Azad, Special Envoy of Bangladesh Presidency of the CVF also spoke. 

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The foreign minister said to create awareness at community level is the first step to bring result in national level.

Individuals, activists, community leaders and youth led organisations can bring solutions through sharing best practices for better adaptation and mitigation, he said. 

Dr Momen said, it is the responsibility of every citizen to save the environment, rivers and ponds from pollution.  

"Please, don’t throw plastic items, plastic bottles, polythene bags indiscriminately,” he pleaded.

“Stop food waste and food loss, and try to conserve natural resources to help biodiversity. If we all do our part, we are little careful and conscious, we can help our planet earth," he said. 

Dr Momen said climate change is a global phenomenon that needs to be addressed through collective efforts and innovative solutions not only internationally or nationally, but also at local and regional levels. 

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The impacts of climate change on the environment, the peoples and economies are being felt by every country on earth, he said.

Bangladesh, he said, is experiencing extreme climate change impacts that are affecting national economy and development as well as lives and livelihoods of the people. 

On the other hand, Dr Momen said, the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic has brought greater negative impact on livelihoods of the people as well as the economy of Bangladesh. 

Even during COVID 19, he said, Bangladesh has experienced severe floods due to the climate change. 

Heavy monsoon rains in upstream regions continue to cause flooding in 30 districts in the north, north-west and south-west of the country, affecting 54 million people. 

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"Flooding has damaged houses, dykes and embankments, water sources, hygiene facilities, and has severely impacted livelihoods, especially in the agricultural sector," said Dr. Momen.