Rizwana calls for adaptation finance, just transition, people-centered investment
Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan spoke in a meeting today held at the Bangladesh Secretariat, Dhaka. Photo : BSS
DHAKA, Oct 5, 2025 (BSS) – Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Ministry of Water Resources, has underlined Bangladesh’s urgent climate priorities ahead of the upcoming global negotiations.
She emphasized the need for scaled-up adaptation support, operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund and accelerating just transition across key sectors.
Environment Adviser said these in a meeting today held at the Bangladesh Secretariat with the Ambassadors of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden — Christian Brix Møller, Håkon Arald Gulbrandsen and Nicolas Weeks respectively.
Rizwana Hasan stressed that while just transition remains important, Bangladesh’s immediate challenge is mobilizing finance to protect vulnerable communities through adaptation and loss-and-damage measures.
Citing the water crisis in coastal areas due to salinity intrusion, she proposed community-based rainwater harvesting projects as a cost-effective, scalable solution that could ensure safe drinking water for thousands during the dry season.
She called on development partners to support such innovative and bankable climate-resilience initiatives.
The Nordic Ambassadors praised Bangladesh’s proactive approach and reaffirmed their commitment to cooperate on renewable energy, wind power, green shipping and adaptation finance.
Both sides agreed on the importance of stronger bilateral dialogues and regional collaboration to amplify the voices of climate-vulnerable nations.
Rizwana Hasan expressed optimism that, with political will and partnerships, the upcoming climate negotiations could deliver concrete gains in adaptation finance, loss-and-damage implementation, and community-led resilience.
Earlier in the day, addressing the Regional Infrastructure Monitoring Alliance (RIMA) Conference 2025 at Hotel Lake Castle, Dhaka, Rizwana Hasan urged for people-centered investment.
She cautioned: “Investment without debate, safeguards and public consent risks harming both people and the environment. Good investment is that which protects nature, respects people’s voices, and strengthens long-term resilience.”
Mohammad Navid Shafiullah, Additional Secretary (Climate Change); Md. Khayrul Hasan, Additional Secretary (Development); Dharitri Kumar Sarkar, Joint Secretary (Climate Change); Md. Rezaul Karim, Joint Secretary (Environment) of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Nayoka Martinez Backstrom, First Secretary of Swedish Embassy were also present on the occasion.