United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Deputy Assistant Administrator (DAA) for Asia Änjali Kaur concluded her visit here that highlighted the importance of biodiversity conservation, restoration, and harnessing local knowledge and expertise for healthy ecosystems. 

She visited Bangladesh from June 2-6 to meet with national and local government officials to advance the U.S.-Bangladesh development partnership and prioritize a prosperous and climate-resilient future.

During her visit, DAA Kaur met with key government officials, development partners and civil society to strengthen USAID’s partnership.  

She delivered a keynote at the clean air policy dialogue with Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Convenor of the Climate Parliament Nahim Razzaq, MP, and the Mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation, Atiqul Islam. 

She unveiled USAID’s Chittagong Hill Tracts Watershed Co-Management Activity to empower local communities and protect natural resources in the hill tracts region with UNDP, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Mashiur Rahman, and Rangamati Hill District Council Chairman Aung Shue Pru.

DAA Kaur was also excited to make her inaugural visit to the Sundarbans and understand the importance of the world’s largest mangrove forest. 

She met with USAID partners and local champions who protect the ecosystem and its wildlife, which are critical for livelihoods and protection from floods and cyclones. 

Community leaders, local government, and the private sector shared their stories and insights on how to strengthen ecosystem resilience and advance prosperity.