Staff Reporter: Yingming Yang, Vice President (South, Central, and West Asia) of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), called on Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury at his office in the Bangladesh Secretariat, Dhaka on Wednesday to Strengthen Climate Collaboration.

During the meeting, they discussed ongoing and future collaborations between the ADB and the Government of Bangladesh, focusing on environmental sustainability, climate resilience, air and marine pollution control, carbon trading, capacity building, blue economy. Both parties emphasized the importance of continued cooperation to address the challenges posed by climate change and environmental degradation in the region.

Environment Minister said Bangladesh is committed to building resilience and sustainable development, and ADB’s support plays a crucial role in this endeavor. The Government of Bangladesh has taken significant strides in environmental protection and climate change adaptation.  However, the challenges we face are immense and multifaceted. We need robust financial mechanisms, advanced technologies, and capacity-building initiatives to meet our goals. The collaboration with ADB has been instrumental in providing the necessary resources and expertise to drive our initiatives forward.

Saber Chowdhury envisioned a strengthened partnership between Bangladesh and the ADB. Together, we can explore innovative solutions, enhance our adaptive capacities, and ensure that our development trajectory is both green and inclusive. He reiterated commitment to working hand in hand with the Asian Development Bank. We value your support and look forward to deepening our collaboration to create a sustainable and resilient Bangladesh.

Minister Chowdhury expressed his appreciation for ADB's support and highlighted the critical role of international partnerships in achieving Bangladesh’s environmental and climate goals. Yingming Yang reaffirmed ADB's commitment to supporting Bangladesh’s efforts through technical assistance, financing, and policy guidance.

This meeting underscores the strong partnership between ADB and Bangladesh in their shared mission to promote sustainable development and environmental protection.

Biniyougbarta/SAM//