A day-long event titled “Biophilia: Reconnecting People, Climate and Culture” which took place at a convention center in Dhaka called for global unity to address climate crisis
The event was organized by the Embassy of Switzerland and was a part of the ‘Climate Action at Local Level’ (CALL) programme on Wednesday.
Advisor to the interim government’s Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, in her inaugural address stated, “Knowledge-based initiatives and global unity and empathy are crucial to tackling the climate crisis. We have limited time and resources, so we must act together. This crisis isn’t just about survival; it’s also about the security of future generations and the existence of many nations.”
A key part of the day was the official launch of the CALL network, a joint initiative by nine Swiss NGOs (CBM, Enfants du Monde, GAIN, HEKS/EPER, Helvetas Bangladesh, Solidar Suisse, Swisscontact, Swiss Red Cross, and Terre des Hommes) and eighteen partner organizations from Bangladesh, with support from Switzerland.
The event’s closing session and climate pledge ceremony featured the Advisor to the Ministry of Shipping, M. Sakhawat Hossain, as the chief guest and the Advisor to the Ministry of Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources, Muhammad Fazlul Kabir Khan, as the chief climate oath-taker.
Among others present were Michael Miller, Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh; Corinne Hetsch Piniyani, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Switzerland; and Dr. Ainun Nishat, former Vice-Chancellor of Brac University. Everyone at the event committed to protecting the climate and pledged to strengthen local leadership.
In his speech, Advisor M. Sakhawat Hossain said, “If we are to save our rivers and the livelihoods of those who depend on them, we must invest in our skills and green infrastructure. The future of our workforce lies not in resisting change, but in leading it.”
In her closing remarks, Corinne Hetsch Piniyani reiterated Switzerland’s commitment to strengthening Bangladesh’s climate resilience. Finally, chief climate oath-taker Muhammad Fazlul Kabir Khan encouraged and inspired everyone to pledge their commitment to climate protection and to lead the effort.
The event ended with a captivating cultural evening that brought together art and climate protection. The popular band Joler Gaan gave a wonderful performance, spreading stories of nature, rivers, and human survival through their music while the festival concluded with “Echos of the Delta,” a poetic fusion of dance, music, and storytelling that deeply inspired the audience.
The youth-led think-and-do-tank Genlab, the climate communication partner for this initiative, planned and executed the festival. This unique event will be remembered as a symbol of unity and commitment, reconnecting people, climate, and culture.