Climate action requires regional cooperation

Syeda Rizwana Hasan, a leading environmentalist and advisor in Bangladesh’s Interim Government, in charge of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MOEFCC), Bangladesh and the Ministry of Water Resources (MOWR), Bangladesh, said regional cooperation is needed to combat the effects of climate change.

“Upstream countries should be informed in advance of rainfall, infrastructure conditions and water release times. Upstream and downstream countries need to work together,” she opined.

She made this statement while speaking to the chief guest at the “Annual Community of Practice Network Convention” for the “Empowerment: Women for a Climate Resilient Society (Phase 2)” project hosted by the Manusher Jonno Foundation(Fundament for the Peoples)’ in Dhaka on October 14.

Syeda Rizwana Hasan also said that the government is taking measures to avoid food crisis due to natural disasters. At the international level, money should be brought from the Zero Carbon Emission and Loss and Damage Fund.

She pointed out that women are more affected by climate change. In her speech, he assured to ensure the participation of women in the national plan of adaptation.

Shaheen Anam, executive director of the organizing foundation, presided over the event. Maria Stridesman, Head of Development Cooperation at the Swedish Embassy in Bangladesh, and Gitanjali Singh, Country Representative of UN Women, were special guests.

The ‘Women’s Climate Action Network’ was announced on this occasion. Apart from this, five women entrepreneurs were awarded the ‘Women’s Role in Combating the Impact of Climate Change Medal, 2024’.

Conference participants discussed strategies to increase women’s participation and leadership in climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts. The event featured various panel discussions, workshops and presentations on women’s empowerment, climate resilience and gender equality.