Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest, Climate Change, and Water Resources, held a productive meeting with the Environment Secretaries of Nepal and Bhutan at the Bangladesh Pavilion during the ongoing COP-29 Climate Change Conference, being held in Baku, Azerbaijan this year.
Environment Secretary of Bangladesh Dr. Farhina Ahmed was also present at the meeting.
During the discussion, Adviser Rizwana Hasan highlighted the importance of regional cooperation in addressing climate challenges. She emphasized the need for actionable joint initiatives in key areas such as energy, agriculture, forestry, and rivers, stating:
“Let’s work together to outline steps for effective collaboration and progress. To identify areas for meaningful joint action, we should focus on energy, agriculture, forestry, and potentially rivers. These sectors are interconnected with climate resilience and provide significant opportunities for collaboration and shared learning.”
She warned against the adoption of false solutions promoted by agro-giants and called for prioritizing sustainable practices that genuinely support farmers and communities. Sharing experiences on forest conservation and its role in achieving climate goals and protecting vulnerable populations was another key area she underscored.
On energy, the adviser stressed the importance of regional cooperation and investment in renewable energy to meet growing demands while reducing emissions. She urged countries to share strategies to accelerate transitions to sustainable energy, enhancing both national and regional resilience.
Rivers, as a critical resource for climate adaptation and agriculture, were also identified as a potential focus for collaboration. She proposed mechanisms to address challenges related to price-sensitive crops.
The Adviser further emphasized the need for innovative solutions such as community seed banks and resilient crop varieties. She remarked:
By establishing mechanisms to share innovations, such as community seed banks or resilient crop varieties, we can amplify benefits with minimal investment. These areas are practical and actionable, requiring fewer political hurdles, making them ideal for joint action.
The meeting underscored the shared commitment of the participating countries to collaborate on sustainable and climate-resilient development pathways.
Later, Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan met with Ministers of Least Developed Countries.