UNDP and French delegations meet Environment Advisor Rizwana Hasan

A high-level delegation from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), led by Resident Representative Stefan Liller, met with Syeda Rizwana Hasan, the Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, and Water Resources Advisor, at the secretariat on Sunday.

The discussions covered a range of critical environmental and climate change issues facing Bangladesh.

The topics included enhancing collaboration between the Government of Bangladesh and UNDP on sustainable environmental management, climate resilience, climate change adaptation, ecosystem-based management in Ecologically Critical Areas (ECAs), community-based management in haor regions, sustainable energy, low-carbon urban development, climate-resilient livelihoods, sustainable land management to combat climate change vulnerability, and the reduction of hazardous chemicals.

During the meeting, advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan highlighted the importance of continued partnership and innovative solutions to address the environmental challenges in Bangladesh.

She stressed the need to explore new opportunities for collaboration and strengthen ongoing initiatives aimed at protecting the environment and promoting sustainable development in the country.

Resident Representative Liller reaffirmed UNDP’s commitment to supporting Bangladesh in achieving its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in combating climate change and preserving natural resources.

Earlier, a French delegation led by the French Ambassador to Bangladesh, Marie Masdupuy, also met with Syeda Rizwana Hasan and discussed various issues including forest protection, transboundary air pollution, river pollution, ecosystem preservation, industrial pollution, and the protection of hill ecosystems, including the Sundarbans, Sal forests, and the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT).

The meeting also addressed the urgent enforcement of a polythene shopping bag ban, climate action collaboration, National Adaptation Plan (NAP) implementation, coastal afforestation, and the Adaptation Pact.