ঢাকারবিবার , ৯ অগাস্ট ২০২৬
In a significant step toward empowering the next generation of climate leaders, Environment and Water Resources Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan has stressed the need for greater youth involvement, accountability, and coordination in Bangladesh’s climate adaptation efforts.
During a high-level meeting held at the Bangladesh Secretariat with UNICEF Bangladesh, Advisor Hasan emphasized the importance of including young representatives in monitoring mechanisms for infrastructure and water-related projects under agencies like the Water Development Board. She also highlighted the need for practical and safer solutions in sanitation and medical waste management—such as adopting microwave-based treatment technologies instead of incineration.
The meeting was led by UNICEF Country Representative Rana Flowers, who reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to making children and adolescents central to climate action. Citing growing threats like floods, undernutrition, and educational disruption, she proposed expanding youth consultations at the district level and creating a structured mechanism for continuous engagement with the ministry.
To further climate awareness, the UNICEF delegation proposed developing a joint documentary series featuring environmental messages from children, designed for school use. Welcoming the idea, Advisor Hasan suggested integrating it into school curricula along with teacher training and student capacity-building programs.
Both parties agreed to develop a joint roadmap focused on youth-led environmental education and localized climate resilience efforts. This includes programs on recycling, waste segregation, and student-led emergency preparedness drills.
The meeting was also attended by key officials including:
🔹 Dr. Farhina Ahmed, Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
🔹 Mohammad Navid Shafiullah, Additional Secretary
🔹 Peter Georg L. Maes, Chief of WASH, UNICEF Bangladesh
🔹 Franco Garcia, Chief of Field Services
🔹 Valentina Spinedi, Programme Specialist – Climate
The Ministry and UNICEF jointly expressed optimism for enhanced collaboration in building a climate-conscious, empowered generation capable of driving Bangladesh’s sustainable development agenda forward.
