Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter delivered the keynote address at an event at the Bangladesh Pavilion in the Blue Zone of the UN Climate Change Conference COP30 in Belém, Brazil, on Sunday, Bangladesh time. Photo: BSS

DHAKA, Nov 16, 2025 (BSS) - Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter today stressed that addressing climate change can no longer be left to profit-driven economies and must instead be guided by young people with a focus on justice.

"We have created an economic system that is destroying nature and ecosystems, endangering the environment and pushing our very existence to the brink," she said.

She made the remarks as the chief guest at an event titled "The Role of Youth, Government and Social Business in Climate Solutions" at the Bangladesh Pavilion in the Blue Zone of the UN Climate Conference COP30 in Belem, Brazil, according to a press release.

Referencing the "Three Zeros" vision-zero poverty, zero unemployment and zero carbon emissions-of Nobel Peace Laureate and Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, Farida said achieving these goals requires a commitment to zero waste and responsible resource use. 

"Our young people must create an economic system with zero waste, zero carbon, and no personal profit beyond basic needs," she added.

She further said that social business is not merely a theory but a practical solution. 

"Such business does not accumulate profit; every taka is reinvested in solving problems. It is one of the most effective tools to fight the climate crisis," she added.

The adviser called on young people to embrace entrepreneurship, stressing that they should not only seek employment but also create employment themselves.

The session was moderated by Mohammad Abdul Wadud Chowdhury, Director General at the Office of the Chief Adviser. 

Keynote speaker Mariana Malufe, Chief Impact Officer and Partner at NUDE, delivered a presentation at the event.

The panel discussion included Francisco Vicente, CEO and Partner of Yunus Social Business; Dione Manetti, Programme Lead at Climate Ventures Brazil; Saville Alves, Project Coordinator at Instituto Clima de Eleicao and Bangladeshi youth climate activist Sohanur Rahman, YouthNet Global Executive Coordinator.

The event was jointly organised by Bangladesh's Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Yunus Social Business Brazil, with participation from young climate organisers and innovators from Bangladesh and Latin America.