USAID will provide a grant of $ 15 million for the USAID ClimAct project, Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan said on Wednesday. The environment adviser made this announcement after a meeting with a USAID delegation led by Director Joseph Lessard at her office at the Secretariat. The discussions focused on enhancing climate resilience and environmental sustainability through the ClimAct Project. This initiative will assist the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in implementing the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) to promote green and climate-resilient pathways for Bangladesh. USAID highlights disaster preparedness, risk reduction efforts in Bangladesh The project will focus on three key areas: policy and planning, accessing finance, and governance of climate actions. During the meeting, Rizwana highlighted the importance of international collaboration. “The ClimAct Project is a crucial step in our fight against climate change, and USAID's support will strengthen our efforts to protect vulnerable communities and ecosystems,” she said. She stressed the need for global partnerships to address climate challenges, adding that collaborating with partners like USAID will enhance the country’s ability to mitigate the impacts of climate change, particularly in flood-prone, river-eroding, and coastal areas. Joseph Lessard reaffirmed USAID's commitment to working with Bangladesh on environmental initiatives, praising the country's proactive approach to climate issues and pledging continued support for long-term climate resilience.

Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan stressed the importance of establishing fair and transparent climate finance systems to protect vulnerable countries from falling into debt traps. Climate finance must be rooted in justice, ensuring countries like Bangladesh are not burdened with unfair loans while addressing a crisis they did not cause, she said. The adviser made these remarks during a National Dialogue on "Climate Justice in Climate Finance: Climate Debt Trap Risks for Bangladesh and Other LDCs" held at the CIRDAP Auditorium on Sunday. The international community must recognize the necessity of grants, not just loans, to support adaptation and mitigation efforts, she added. Single-use plastic ban, tourist limit to be imposed at St. Martin’s island: Environment Adviser Rizwana Hasan underscored the importance of stronger global commitments to address the historical responsibility of developed nations in contributing to climate change. She urged industrialized countries to take responsibility and provide financial assistance in a manner that does not worsen the economic hardships of LDCs. Bangladesh and other vulnerable nations are grappling with both environmental and economic crises, and climate finance must serve as a tool for empowerment, not exploitation, she noted. Dr. Munzurul Hannan Khan, Executive Director of Nature Conservation Management (NACOM), Md. Rafiqul Islam, Managing Director of the Bangladesh Climate Change Trust (BCCT), and M Zakir Hossain Khan, Managing Director and Chief Executive of Change Initiative, also spoke. The event gathered experts, policymakers, and civil society representatives to discuss challenges and solutions regarding climate finance for developing nations. The dialogue focused on the increasing concerns surrounding the debt risks posed by international climate finance for Bangladesh and other Least Developed Countries.

The tiger population in the Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest, has increased by 11 since the last survey, according to the latest ‘Sundarbans Tiger Survey 2024’. The results, announced today at a press conference at the Secretariat by Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan, show the tiger count rising from 114 in 2018 to 125 this year. Adviser Rizwana attributed the growth to ongoing conservation efforts and stricter habitat protections. "The tiger population density in the Sundarbans is now 2.64 tigers per 100 square kilometers, a 9.65% increase since 2018 and a 17.92% rise from 2015," she said, citing data from the survey.

Mega projects alone will not suffice and a specific action plan is needed to make Dhaka a livable city, said Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan  on Monday. “We need more green spaces, open areas for breathing, seating spaces, and opportunities for youth to engage in sports," she said. She said these while speaking as a special speaker at a discussion programme at RAJUK Auditorium in the capital, organized on the occasion of World Habitat Day 2024. The theme of this year’s event was "Engaging youth to create a better urban future ." Upstream, downstream countries must work together to tackle climate change: Rizwana Rizwana Hasan further stressed that Dhaka must be designed for everyone. “To build a sustainable and environmentally friendly city, the involvement of youth is crucial. Their creativity can make the city more livable. “ She also proposed the inclusion of youth in RAJUK’s activities. The Adviser called for ensuring the rights of slum dwellers and those displaced by river erosion in development plans. The event’s Principal speaker was Adilur Rahman Khan, Adviser to the Ministry of Housing and Public Works and the Ministry of Industry. Immediate action to be taken to prevent river erosion: Syeda Rizwana Hasan The discussion was chaired by Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, Md. Hamidur Rahman Khan. Remarks were also made by UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh, Gwen Lewis, and Additional Secretary Shakila Zerin Ahmed. The keynote presentation was delivered by Joint Secretary Naila Ahmed. During the event, the guests also unveiled two publications on the occasion of World Habitat Day.