News Flash
DHAKA, July 22, 2026 (BSS) - Climate experts and policymakers today called for a more equitable, transparent and locally responsive climate finance system to enables Bangladesh's most climate-vulnerable communities to lead adaptation and resilience initiatives.
The call came at the National Policy Dialogue on Equitable Climate Finance for Locally Led Climate Action in Bangladesh, where participants stressed the need for a comprehensive Climate Finance Implementation Plan based on a holistic, multi-stakeholder approach.
The event was organised by HEKS/EPER Bangladesh in collaboration with the Centre for Climate Justice Bangladesh under the Climate Action at Local Level (CALL) programme, with support from the Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh.
The speakers underscored the importance of strengthening green finance mechanisms, including greater access to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and other international climate financing sources, to support effective climate adaptation.
Speaking as the chief guest, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Environment, Forest and Climate Change Affairs Dr. Saimum Parvez said protecting the environment is a shared responsibility of the government, civil society and citizens.
He described the Prime Minister as a "Green Prime Minister" and said the government is committed to formulating a comprehensive environmental strategy through collaboration among government institutions, development partners and civil society.
Dr. Parvez also highlighted three key environmental priorities outlined in the government's political commitments - expanding renewable energy to accelerate the transition to clean energy, undertaking large-scale tree plantation and afforestation programmes to enhance carbon sequestration and climate resilience, and restoring canals to improve water management, strengthen flood resilience and revive natural drainage systems.
Mr. Diepak Elmer, Charge d'Affaires of the Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh, attended the dialogue as the Guest of Honour and reaffirmed Switzerland's continued support for locally led climate action.
During the dialogue, Climate Negotiator and Founder Director of the Centre for Climate Justice Bangladesh (CCJB) Adv. M. Hafijul Islam Khan presented a set of policy recommendations aimed at improving the equity, transparency and effectiveness of Bangladesh's climate finance architecture.
A high-level expert discussion was moderated by Dr. Rudaba Khandakar, Country Director, GAIN brought together distinguished experts, including Mr. Md. Abujafar Ripon, Director (Deputy Secretary), Bangladesh Climate Change Trust; Mr. Md. Shamsuddoha, Chief Executive, CPRD; Mr. Zakir Hossain Khan, Chief Executive Officer, Change Initiative; Ms. Dilruba Haider, Programme Specialist, UN Women; and Dr. Golam Rabbani, Director, Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Research (C3ER), BRAC University and Prof. Sharmind Neelormi, Department of Economics, Jahangirnagar University.
The discussion explored existing climate finance practices, institutional challenges, and opportunities to strengthen locally led climate action through more inclusive financing mechanisms.
The closing session featured remarks from senior government officials including Mr. AKM Sohel, Additional Secretary, Economic Relations Division and Ms. Nurun Nahar, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change;
Facilitated by Ms. Farhana Afroz, Programme Director of CALL Programme, participants emphasised that equitable climate finance is not only about increasing financial resources, but also about ensuring that climate finance reaches local governments and frontline communities through transparent, accountable and vulnerability-responsive systems.
The dialogue concluded with a shared commitment to advancing policy reforms and institutional mechanisms that strengthen locally led climate action across Bangladesh.
