Nayoka Martinez-Bäckström, First Secretary and Deputy Head of Development Cooperation at the Embassy of Sweden, has said that meaningful climate action is taking place in Bangladesh, not just at global platforms like the COP summits.

“Not every youth needs to go to COP; the real work is happening here in Bangladesh,” she said while addressing a youth-led policy dialogue titled “Youth Voices for Climate Resilience 2025” at Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) on Sunday.

The event was organized by the CAP-RES (Capacity Strengthening of Multi-actors to Limit Climate Change Impacts and Enhance Resilience) project of the International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD) at IUB, with support from the Embassy of Sweden.

The dialogue brought together youth leaders, government officials, development partners, and media representatives to explore how young people can drive locally led adaptation and influence national and global climate policies ahead of COP30 in Brazil.

Praising ICCCAD’s Youth Fellowship initiative as “a flagship model of inclusive climate leadership,” Martinez-Bäckström encouraged young participants to continue their advocacy, saying, “I hope to see all of you again as mentors, advocates, and leaders in your own right.”

Prof Dr Hafizur Rahman, Focal of ICCCAD, urged youth to take ownership of the country’s climate future. “Bangladesh has become a leader in climate advocacy, and much of that credit goes to you, the young changemakers,” he said.

Representing the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, Deputy Secretary Sanzida Yesmin highlighted the wider social implications of climate change. “Salinity intrusion can lead to infertility, and that has emotional and social impacts that go beyond health,” she said, calling for youth-led awareness initiatives to build resilience at the community level.

Dr Shah Abdul Saad, Deputy Secretary of the Economic Relations Division (ERD), underscored the economic dimensions of climate change. “We must align mitigation with a just transition approach,” he said, adding that domestic resource mobilization is key to sustainable adaptation.

A panel discussion followed, featuring Valentina Spinedi, Climate Specialist at UNICEF; Farzana Faruk Jhumu, Member of the UN Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change; Nuzhat Jabin, Country Director of Christian Aid Bangladesh; Kazi Amdadul Hoque, Senior Director of Friendship; Shah Rafayat Chowdhury, Co-founder of Footsteps Bangladesh; and other experts.

The speakers stressed the urgency of climate action, decentralized finance, and disability inclusion in adaptation programs. “Climate change is not just a discussion; it is a lived experience,” said UNICEF’s Spinedi, highlighting UNICEF’s partnership with the government in incorporating youth voices into the upcoming NDC 3.0.

Youth fellows Md Rehanuz Zaman and Md Al Imran Khan Rabby shared insights from their fieldwork in coastal regions, emphasizing the need for accessible data, stronger financial mechanisms, and activation of the Loss and Damage Fund. “Young people in last-mile communities are still not equipped with the tools or platforms to represent themselves,” said Rehan.

The event concluded with a call for stronger youth engagement in climate governance and local action to strengthen Bangladesh’s resilience in the face of escalating climate threats.