Laying the Foundation for Bangladesh’s Climate-Proof Future: Public Private Partnerships Masterclasses for Climate-Resilient Infrastructure

In the face of mounting climate challenges, the South Asia Regional Office of the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) is fortifying the foundations of climate resilience in Bangladesh through a series of Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) Masterclasses

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n September 2020, the GCA South Asia office was inaugurated under the esteemed guidance of the Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. This office symbolizes Bangladesh’s dedication to its adaptation priorities and signals its readiness to share its triumphs in climate risk adaptation on a global scale.

This journey towards resilience was advanced with the successful hosting of two three-day Masterclasses on Climate Resilient Infrastructure PPPs in Bangladesh in October 2023 and January 2024. These sessions brought together 61 high-ranking officials from a diverse range of ministries and government bodies. Dr. Farhina Ahmed, Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) of Bangladesh attended the inaugural session as the Chief Guest. The session was chaired by the Dr. Ainun Nishat, Professor Emeritus at BRAC University, and featured Mr. Sanjay Kumar Bhowmik, Additional Secretary, MoEFCC and Dr. Md. Mushfiqur Rahman, Public Private Partnership Authority of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh’s Office among the speakers.

The PPP Masterclass was supported by the Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Research (C3ER), BRAC University, and Grant Thornton, backed by funding from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) of the United Kingdom. The Masterclasses bridged the crucial gap between climate analytics and practical knowledge for infrastructure professionals. Industry experts delved into the intricacies of planning and designing climate-resilient infrastructure, emphasizing Nature-based Solutions, and leveraging regional and international best practices.

Participants, ranging from private sector innovators to government veterans, brought a wealth of experience and insight to the table. They left armed with the tools to integrate adaptation and resilience throughout the PPP project cycle – a stride towards embedding climate resilience within the infrastructure development landscape.
 
GCA’s Masterclass laid the groundwork for a future where climate-resilient infrastructure is the norm. It championed the cause for a resilient Bangladesh and, by extension, inspired global action towards sustainability. The insights shared during the event served as a catalyst for unity in the quest for a more resilient and sustainable future, with GCA at the helm.