Bangladesh Calls for Equitable Climate Solutions and Support

Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser on Environment, Forest, and Climate Change

Hasan highlighted the government’s commitment to actively involve young people in climate initiatives, urging developed nations to fulfill their pledges related to climate finance and technological support for countries most affected by climate change.

Co-organized by the EU Delegation to Bangladesh and the Embassy of Sweden, the event focused on the theme “Youth as Agents of Change.” The roundtable aimed to explore the influence of young leaders on climate policy both in Bangladesh and internationally, particularly ahead of the upcoming COP29 summit.

EU Ambassador Michael Miller, Swedish Ambassador Nicolas Weeks, and Italian Ambassador Antonio Alessandro joined representatives from Germany, France, Denmark, and the Netherlands to foster an open dialogue with 18 youth representatives engaged in the COP process.

Throughout the discussions, participants emphasized the necessity of integrating climate change mitigation with adaptation strategies. They called for a unified effort to embed climate resilience into existing policies and frameworks.

“The EU advocates for an ambitious COP29 outcome that aligns with the 1.5°C temperature target, moving us toward long-term resilience,” stated Ambassador Miller. He also stressed the need to build on the commitments made at COP28 in Dubai.

As COP29 approaches, the EU is committed to elevating mitigation efforts during this critical decade, essential for preventing severe repercussions for climate-vulnerable nations like Bangladesh, warned Ambassador Weeks.

Youth Advocate Farzana Faruk Jhumu from UNICEF Bangladesh asserted, “Financing from the Global North must not impede the right to development for any nation. Simultaneously, development rights should prioritize the most vulnerable.”

Echoing this sentiment, youth climate activist Amanullah Porag, founder of Youth4NDCs, called for more formal avenues for youth involvement in government processes, especially regarding Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). “To ensure climate justice, we need to be well-informed participants in policy-making,” he added.

The event brought together civil society, academia, Team Europe partners, and youth leaders, along with officials from the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, and the Ministry of Water Resources.

The EU and its Member States are significant financiers of climate adaptation efforts, grounded in the belief that all parties must uphold human rights, including the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment. They also emphasize the rights of Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and marginalized groups.

Through its partnership with Bangladesh, the EU supports the Interim Government’s reform initiatives aimed at empowering youth to take meaningful climate action.