Bangladesh seeks Nordic countries’ experience in keeping rivers clean
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, has sought financial and technical cooperation from Nordic countries to establish wildlife sanctuaries to protect Bangladesh’s endangered elephants.
She also sought the experience and cooperation of Nordic countries in keeping Bangladesh’s rivers clean.
During a meeting on December 22 at the ministry’s office, she spoke with Swedish Ambassador Nicolas Weeks, Norwegian Ambassador Haakon Arald Gulbrandsen, and Danish Head of Mission Anders Carlsen.
During the meeting, Syeda Rizwana Hasan emphasized the importance of sustainable solutions and suggested learning from the Nordic countries’ approach to plastic pollution.
She highlighted the ministry’s focus on involving youth in campaigns against plastic and noise pollution and expressed eagerness for Nordic cooperation to enhance these efforts.
The Nordic ambassadors reiterated their commitment to cooperation in biodiversity conservation, prevention of river pollution and development of renewable energy.
Danish Head of Mission Anders Carlsen is interested in investing $1.2 billion to establish a 500 megawatt offshore wind farm in Cox’s Bazar.
Norwegian Ambassador Haakon Arald Gulbrandsen expressed Norway’s support for the Marine Litter Prevention Project in Bangladesh and commitment to promoting sustainable plastic use to prevent marine litter.
The Environment Advisor of Bangladesh will be the chief guest at the Nordic Day celebration on February 6, 2025. During this, he highlighted the importance of the growing partnership with the Nordic countries in addressing Bangladesh’s environmental challenges.
The Secretary of Environment, the Secretary of Water Resources, and officials from the ministry and embassies of Nordic countries were present at the time.