Mintoo Calls for Long-Term Climate Financing for Bangladesh

Environment Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo met ADB Vice-President Yingming Yang at the Environment Ministry office in Dhaka today.

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo has called for adequate, accessible and long-term financing from development partners to help Bangladesh tackle the impacts of climate change.

He made the remarks when Asian Development Bank (ADB) Vice-President for South, Central and West Asia Yingming Yang paid a courtesy call on him at his ministry office on Monday, according to a ministry press release.

Mintoo said Bangladesh contributes very little to global climate change but remains among the countries most severely affected by its consequences.

He said the government is prioritising both climate adaptation and mitigation measures to protect lives, livelihoods and natural resources.

“Adequate, accessible and long-term financing from development partners is essential for the successful implementation of these initiatives. To this end, Bangladesh must first determine its own priorities,” he said.

The minister called for expanding ADB cooperation in environmental conservation, pollution control and climate-resilient development.

The meeting also discussed Bangladesh’s longstanding development cooperation with ADB, measures to address climate impacts and ways to strengthen environmentally sustainable development initiatives.

The discussions covered climate adaptation and mitigation, increased climate finance, forest and biodiversity conservation, air and plastic pollution control, renewable energy and sustainable urban and infrastructure development.

Both sides also discussed increasing ADB’s technical and financial assistance to strengthen the capacity of climate-vulnerable communities and develop disaster-resilient infrastructure.

Yingming Yang commended Bangladesh’s initiatives to address climate change impacts and expressed ADB’s interest in further strengthening cooperation in environmental protection, climate-resilient infrastructure, clean energy and sustainable development.

The two sides reviewed ongoing areas of cooperation and agreed to explore new projects and programmes of mutual interest.

They expressed optimism that regular communication and coordination would help further advance development cooperation between Bangladesh and ADB.

Additional Secretary Navid Shafiullah and senior ADB officials were present at the meeting.