Cooperation is a must to achieve the climate adaptation goals: State Secretary for the Environment

Cooperation is a must to achieve the climate adaptation goals: State Secretary for the Environment

DHAKA, April 25, 2024 (BSS) – Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Dr. Farhina Ahmed, today said cooperation and coordination are essential to effectively address the impacts of climate change and achieve adaptation goals.

“Partnerships and knowledge sharing are needed to improve adaptation actions and avoid duplication and reporting burdens. Bangladesh plans to contribute to the development of indicators, establish early warning systems, implement adaptation plans and establish monitoring systems,” she said.

The Environment Secretary was addressing a technical session titled ‘Assessing Richness and Gaps towards the Global Goals Adaptation (UNEP)’ of the ongoing NAP Expo 2024 at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC) here.

Dr. Farhina said the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) is crucial for aligning adaptation actions with the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA).

While challenges exist, such as completing negotiations before formulating NAPs, countries like Bangladesh are committed to aligning their adaptation efforts with the GGA, she said.

COP28 concluded the Glasgow Sharm el Sheikh Program of Work on the GGA and adopted a framework for the global goal of adaptation, the Environment Minister said.

She said a two-year work program has been prepared on indicators to measure progress towards the GGA goals, with Bangladesh aiming to adopt this program at the COP30.

Gwyn Lewis, UN Residential Coordinator, Bangladesh; Mozaharul Alam, Regional Climate Change Coordinator, UNEP; Vanessa Villegas-Carriedo, UNEP; Arfan Uzzaman, National Climate Change Expert, FAO, Bangladesh; and Azan Mohamed of the Maldives; also spoke on this occasion.