Staff Correspondent
Eastern Bank PLC. (EBL), a private commercial bank in Bangladesh, and the U.S. Department of State
entered into an agreement recently to collaborate on the EBL Climate Change Adaptation Award,
according to press release.
The prize will be announced annually with the aim of recognizing and celebrating the best practices by
corporations, manufacturing companies, NGOs operating in Bangladesh, and climate activists who have
demonstrated excellence and leadership in implementing climate change adaptation projects and
initiatives.
The agreement was signed by visiting Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central
Asian Affairs Donald Lu and Acting Managing Director of EBL Ahmed Shaheen at the EMK Center in
Gulshan.
The award categories cover a wide range of sectors and themes, such as renewable energy, water
conservation, sustainable agriculture, urban resilience, biodiversity protection, and disaster
preparedness.
The award winners will be selected by a panel of judges, comprised of experts from academia, civil
society, media, and international agencies.
Assistant Secretary Donald Lu said, “The United States and Eastern Bank share a common goal of
promoting work to combat climate change among Bangladeshi businesses, civil society, and elsewhere.
We look forward to supporting EBL’s establishment of this important new climate change adaptation
award.”
U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas said, “U.S. Embassy Dhaka is excited about this new
partnership with Eastern Bank. By helping EBL recognize businesses and organizations doing exceptional
work in climate change in Bangladesh, we hope to help inspire more action in this critically important
area.”
EBL’s Acting Managing Director Ahmed Shaheen said, “Extreme weather events worldwide are urging us
to act quickly on climate adaptation, mitigation, and finance. We are delighted to enter into this
partnership with the U.S. Department of State on EBL Climate Change Adaptation Award, and to have
the privilege of Assistant Secretary Donald Lu with the Ambassador signing this public-private
partnership. This is a unique initiative that aligns with our vision of being a socially responsible and
environmentally friendly bank. We believe that this award will inspire and motivate more actors to join
the fight against climate change, which is one of the most pressing challenges of our time.”
The nomination process for the EBL Climate Change Adaptation Award 2024 will be announced soon
through newspaper, electronic media and EBL website and social media platforms.
US, EBL work on climate award
