DHAKA, May 15, 2024 (BSS) - Environment Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury

today said the existing relations between Bangladesh and the United States
(US) will be enhanced.

"Significant strides were made towards enhancing bilateral relations between
Bangladesh and the United States, particularly in environmental and climate
realms," he said.

The minister said this while conducting a meeting with US Assistant Secretary
of State Donald Lu at the secretariat here today.

Expressing optimism regarding the future of Bangladesh-US relations, Saber
Hossain underlined the shared commitment to combating climate change.

The meeting underscored the mutual desire of both the nations to deepen their
partnership. It convened at the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate
Change saw Minister Chowdhury and Assistant Secretary Lu at the forefront of
discussions.

A seven-member US delegation, led by US Assistant Secretary Lu, highlighted
the United States' intention to offer free real-time satellite data for South
Asia. This data will serve as a vital tool in monitoring the impact of
climate change, including natural disasters, floods, pollution and rising sea
levels.

Bangladesh, in turn, articulated its aspirations for collaboration in various
domains, including technology transfer, capacity building, smart agriculture,
and the advancement of green and climate technologies.

To facilitate these endeavors, both parties agreed to establish a bilateral
working group. Further deliberations will focus on project implementation,
with particular attention to ensuring the welfare of marginalized
communities, a ministry press release said.

Saber Hossain Chowdhury expressed appreciation for the US's commitment to
addressing climate change, noting the importance of aligning initiatives with
Bangladesh's needs.
 
Emphasizing the significance of cooperative efforts, the discussion centered
on fostering sustainable development and effectively addressing environmental
challenges.

The United States delegation, comprising prominent figures such as Peter
Haas, the US Ambassador to Bangladesh Nathaniel Haft, Chief of Staff, South
and Central Asian Affairs Bureau and other distinguished officials,
reiterated their nation's unwavering dedication to collaborating with
Bangladesh in combating climate change.

This meeting marked a significant step forward in the ongoing partnership
between Bangladesh and the United States, reaffirming their shared commitment
to environmental stewardship and sustainable development.

As both nations continue to work closely together, the prospects for
impactful collaboration in tackling climate change remain promising.