Photo : collected

DHAKA, July 2, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh and the International Centre for 
Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) have reaffirmed their joint 
commitment to strengthening climate resilience, transboundary river 
management and regional environmental governance.

The commitment was made at a bilateral meeting between Environment, Forest 
and Climate Change minister Abdul Awal Mintoo and ICIMOD Director General 
Pema Gyamtsho in Bangkok, a press release said here today.

During the meeting, the ICIMOD DG appreciated Bangladesh's continued 
engagement and underscored the importance of enhancing regional cooperation 
to address transboundary challenges related to glacier-fed river systems. 

He stressed the need for an integrated transboundary action plan for the 
sustainable management of shared water resources and sought Bangladesh's 
support for ICIMOD's mid-term review and strategic planning process.

As part of institutional cooperation, a proposal was placed to designate the 
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change as ICIMOD's National Focal 
Point in Bangladesh. 

Mintoo assured Bangladesh's continued support for all ICIMOD initiatives, 
including participation in the organisation's Board Meeting scheduled for 
next September and cooperation in implementing its medium-term work plan.

Both sides reiterated the importance of regional cooperation in addressing 
environmental challenges and discussed the scopes of coordinated efforts for 
transboundary water resources management, climate adaptation and the 
sustainable management of the mountain-to-delta ecosystem.