Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan shas aid that the European Union (EU) and the European Investment Bank (EIB) will support Bangladesh in its environmental protection efforts, aligned with government priorities, including technical assistance, renewable energy initiatives, the introduction of electric public transport, capacity building for officials and measures to combat air and water pollution.
Adviser Rizwana Hasan shared this during a meeting with an EU-EIB delegation led by Nicola Beer, Vice President of the EIB, at her office in the Bangladesh Secretariat on Tuesday.
The adviser emphasised Bangladesh's urgent need for international support in addressing critical issues such as air pollution control, river cleaning, renewable energy adoption, improved sewage and water management, establishment of an elephant sanctuary, biodiversity conservation and monitoring capacity enhancement.
She highlighted the government’s commitment to engaging youth in environment and biodiversity conservation.
Nicola Beer commended Bangladesh’s interim government for initiating significant reforms and affirmed the EU and EIB’s commitment to aiding the country through expertise and resources. She highlighted potential collaboration in areas such as afforestation, climate change mitigation, sustainable housing, green bonds and waste management.
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The meeting was attended by high-level officials, including secretaries from the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Water Resources; Michael Miller, EU Ambassador to Bangladesh; Nicole Birtsch, Head of the Vice President’s Office, EIB; Edvardas Bumsteinas, Head of Division, Asia & Pacific, EIB; Enrico Possenti, Senior Officer, Corporate Communications, EIB; Arundhati Pal, Loan Officer, Asia & Pacific, EIB; Michael Steidl, EIB Representative for South Asia; Michal Krejza, Head of Development Cooperation, EU; Edwin Koekkoek, Team Leader, Green Inclusive Development; and Tanzina Dilshad, Programme Manager, Energy & Environment.