The government is trying to protect the environment and biodiversity: Bangladesh Environment Minster

Md. Shahab Uddin, Minister of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC), said, “Despite limited resources, the government is making utmost efforts to protect, preserve and develop the environment and biodiversity.

In this regard, Bangladesh expects the cooperation and support of all development partners, including the European Union (EU).”

“At least 800 billion dollar needs to implement the Global Biodiversity Framework following 2020. Fifty percent of the total allocation needs distribution for the conservation of biodiversity in developing countries,” the environment ministry continued.

He made the remarks at a bilateral meeting between European Union Ambassador Charles Whitley at the meeting room of MoEFCC recently.

“The constitution of Bangladesh has made conservation of biodiversity mandatory. Bangladesh has signed the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Biodiversity Protocol, and the Nagoya Protocol.

To this end, the government introduced the Biodiversity Act in 2017 and the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2016-21,” Shahab Uddin added.

“Bangladesh declared 5.77 percent of its territory a nature reserve with 48 protected areas and 13 ecologically endangered areas.

Besides, 6.20 percent of the total sea area declared as Marine Protected Area in collaboration with fore sea areas,”

he further added.

The European Union’s ambassador to Bangladesh, Charles Whitley, informed that the EU would double its funding for biodiversity conservation.

Besides, EU cooperation in technology transfer, renewable energy, clean energy, climate adaptation, and mitigation efforts will grow exponentially.