Bangladesh proposed joint cooperation with JICA for the conservation and development of forests
Syeda Rizwana Hassan, advisor to the Bangladesh Ministry of Environment, has proposed converting all the country’s forests into ‘Nature Learning Hubs.’ The advisor made this suggestion during a meeting with a Japanese delegation led by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Executive Senior Vice President Miyazaki Katsura at the Bangladesh Secretariat on July 3, 2025.
The advisor proposed turning resource centers near forests into learning centers to engage city residents, particularly youth, in environmental issues, climate change, and biodiversity. She sought JICA’s assistance to improve forest monitoring with modern technology, establish internationally standard safari parks, and modernize the Bangladesh Forest Industries Development Corporation (BFIDC) for eco-friendly furniture production while ensuring forest protection.
In the meeting, the advisor informed JICA Executive Senior Vice President Miyazaki Katsura about Bangladesh’s advancements in renewable energy. Initiatives have been taken to expand solar power connections in government offices. The Bangladesh Climate Development Partnership will effectively manage international financing to tackle climate change and its effects. She also presented a proposal to JICA to form a separate trust for wildlife conservation.
JICA Vice President Miyazaki Katsura said that JICA applauds the initiatives taken by Bangladesh for self-reliant development. He assured the Bangladesh government of JICA’s continued cooperation in achieving the goals of ‘zero poverty’ and ‘zero unemployment’.
Bangladesh’s Ministry of Forest, Environment and Climate includes Secretary Dr. Farhina Ahmed, Additional Secretary Mohammad Navid Shafiullah, and Chief Conservator of Forests Md. Amir Hossain Chowdhury, Yamada Tetsuya (Director General of JICA’s South Asia Division), Ichiguchi Tomohide (Chief Representative of the Bangladesh Office), and Miura Mari (Senior Representative) attended the meeting.
