Staff Correspondent
Recently, the Australian High Commission hosted a reception under the theme of “Youth and Climate
Change in the Commonwealth”, ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM)
taking place in Samoa between 21-26 October. The reception featured remarks from Australian Acting
High Commissioner Nardia Simpson, Maldivian High Commissioner Shiuneen Rasheed, and chief guest
Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser for Environment, Forest, Climate Change, and Water. Over 100 guests
attended the reception, including representatives from High Commissions in Bangladesh, senior
Bangladesh government officials, representatives from International Organisations, leaders of civil
society and Non-Government Organisations, journalists and youth and climate activists.
In her opening remarks, Ms Simpson spoke about the dynamism of the youth in Bangladesh and in the
Commonwealth and the importance of fostering and supporting their actions to combat climate change.
She called for the youth around the Commonwealth to be equipped with the resources, knowledge and
support to advocate for their rights and protect their communities. She highlighted the perspective of
His Majesty, King Charles III, as head of the Commonwealth and passionate advocate for the
environment, to listen to the aspirations and concerns of young people, reminding everyone that they
are often the first to bear the brunt of climate change impacts.
Ms Rasheed gave the perspective of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) like the Maldives, emphasised
the absolute necessity of meeting the 1.5°C temperature goal set by the Paris Agreement – failure to do
so would be disastrous for countries like the Maldives and Bangladesh. Ms Rasheed stated that the
Maldives saw the upcoming CHOGM 2024 in Samoa as an opportunity to address the Commonwealth’s
shared challenges, from the climate crisis to financing gaps.
Chief guest Syeda Rizwana Hasan highlighted the devastating effects that climate change-induced
weather events were having on Bangladesh. She urged young people to challenge current development
models and create their own narratives, emphasising that Bangladesh’s youth were at the forefront of
climate action, noting their passion and innovation as vital to overcoming climate change challenges.
Platforms like the Commonwealth, she said, could empower young people to take meaningful actions
for a sustainable future.
The reception also featured photo exhibitions and videos from the Maldives, the Bangladesh Youth
Environmental Initiative (BYEI), United Nations Development Programme in Bangladesh, and JAAGO
Foundation, highlighting the various efforts of development partners to support Bangladesh’s youth to
fight climate change.