Staff Correspondent
Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) organised a national seminar titled
“Bangladesh’s Climate Resilience and Financing: Challenges, Opportunities and Way Forward” on
Monday, 01 July 2024 at the BIISS auditorium. Nahim Razzaq MP, Convenor, Climate Parliament
Bangladesh and Member, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Foreign Affairs, graced the
programme as the chief guest. Dr Ainun Nishat, Professor Emeritus, BRAC University was present as the
special guest. Major General Md Abu Bakar Siddique Khan, ndc, afwe, psc, G+, Director General, BIISS,
delivered the welcome address. Three presentations were delivered in the national seminar. Dr Sufia
Khanom, Senior Research Fellow of BIISS delivered a presentation on “Financing for Climate Resilience:
Context and Issues”; A Presentation on “Case Studies/Best Practices for Innovative Financial Mechanisms”
was made by Shaikh Muhammad Mehedi Ahsan, Country Representative, IUCN and General Secretary
Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP); while Dr Mohammad Abu Yusuf, Additional Secretary, Finance
Division, Ministry of Finance delivered a presentation on “Innovative Financial Mechanisms”. An open
discussion took place after their deliberations. Ambassador AFM Gousal Azam Sarker, Chairman, BIISS,
moderated the session and wrapped up with his remarks.
Speakers noted that Bangladesh is continually listed globally as one of the most vulnerable countries to the
impacts of climate change. The country’s vulnerability to climate change is largely attributed to its geography,
which makes it particularly susceptible to natural disasters and rising sea levels. A dense population,
dependence on agriculture for livelihood and, weak adaptive capacity adds to its vulnerability to climate
change impacts. However, Bangladesh is relentlessly trying to strengthen its adaptive capacity. The country
has integrated climate change into its national legal and policy framework, placing a stronger emphasis on
conservation of the environment, biodiversity, and protection of people. Despite its efforts, accessing
international climate finance remains a major challenge for Bangladesh, with strict eligibility criteria
preventing agencies from qualifying for global climate funds like the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the Least
Developed Countries Fund (LDCF), and the Adaptation Fund (AF). Speakers opined that to address this issue,
Bangladesh needs to improve its fiscal space and pursue grant-based or concessional climate assistance, as
well as renegotiate and restructure existing development loans.
Senior officials from different ministries, diplomatic missions, media, researchers, academics, businesspeople,
representatives from different think tanks and international organisations, and teachers and students from
various universities participated in the national seminar and enriched it by presenting their valuable opinions,
questions, suggestions, and observations during the open discussion session.
