News Flash
DHAKA, April 28, 2026 (BSS) - British High Commissioner Sarah Cooke today
said climate action remains a central pillar of Bangladesh-UK cooperation to
support Bangladesh's long-term prosperity, resilience and energy security as
the country faces growing climate risks.
"For Bangladesh, climate change is not a future challenge to be managed at
some later point; it is a reality," she said.
Speaking at the "DCAB Talk" organised by the Diplomatic Correspondents
Association of Bangladesh (DCAB) at the National Press Club, Sarah Cooke said
Bangladesh is on the frontline of climate change.
The envoy said bilateral climate cooperation focuses on strengthening
resilience, protecting communities and supporting sustainable growth.
She said UK support is helping communities in the Sundarbans adapt to climate
impacts while safeguarding one of the world's most important ecosystems.
Cooke said the two countries are also working together to improve
preparedness through the Bangladesh-UK hydrometeorological partnership, under
which expertise from the UK Met Office is supporting better flood forecasting
and early warning systems.
"Better data and earlier warnings save lives and reduce losses," she said,
adding that mobilising climate finance at scale remains essential.
She said climate finance is now a core focus of UK engagement in Bangladesh
through cooperation with the government and private sector to unlock blended
finance and private capital.
Referring to regional security cooperation, Cooke said Bangladesh plays an
important role in regional stability, maritime security and United Nations
peacekeeping.
She welcomed the recent government-to-government agreement on transfer of the
former HMS Enterprise, saying the vessel would strengthen Bangladesh's
hydrographic and oceanographic survey capacity, navigational safety and
marine resource management in the Bay of Bengal.
The High Commissioner said the UK also continues military training support
for Bangladesh to help develop future military leaders.
On the Rohingya issue, she said the United Kingdom stands firmly with
Bangladesh in responding to the needs of Rohingya refugees in Cox's Bazar.
Since 2017, the UK has provided over œ458 million in humanitarian assistance
for refugees and host communities.
Cooke said the UK is also working with Bangladesh to tackle illegal
migration, visa abuse and visa fraud to ensure movement between the two
countries remains safe, legal and fair.
She described Bangladesh-UK relations as a modern and strategic partnership.
