Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury said on Wednesday that Bangladesh and Maldives will work together on climate diplomacy.

He proposed joint eco-tourism programmes combining Bangladesh's beaches and Maldives' islands and urged the country for expanding employment opportunities for Bangladeshi workers in Maldives and ensuring their welfare.

The minter said these during a side meeting with his Maldives' counterpart Thoriq Ibrahim at the South Asia Cooperative Environment Program (SACEP) conference in Thimphu, Bhutan, said a media release signed by Dipankar Bar, Senior Information Officer of the ministry.

Maldives' minister Thoriq sought cooperation from Bangladesh in importing fruit, forest, and medicinal tree saplings and establishing nurseries.

He also mentioned that the labour market in Maldives, which had been closed for a long time, has recently reopened for Bangladeshis, leading to an expected increase in the number of Bangladeshi workers, it reads.  

Furthermore, discussions were held on using Bangladesh's geo-satellite to monitor sea level changes.

This collaborative effort between the two countries will play a crucial role in addressing climate change and expanding eco-tourism, it added.