Bangladesh’s Urgent Call for Climate Action: Paving the Way to Water Resilience

Gwyn Lewis, the UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh, met with Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan on April 10, 2025. Their main topic? The urgent need to tackle environmental challenges in Bangladesh, especially regarding climate action and water governance.

During their meeting in Dhaka, they emphasized the importance of swift action to improve the country’s resilience to climate change. The discussions highlighted the critical need to restore river ecosystems, advocating for a unified approach to environmental governance.

Rizwana stressed that planning is no longer enough. “We need to act now,” she said, suggesting that even a few key projects could make a significant difference. This call for action aligns with recent findings from climate reports indicating that immediate projects can have a tangible impact on communities.

The meeting also touched on Bangladesh’s Climate Prosperity Plan and the necessity of updates to the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC). Collaborating with international partners like the ADB and the European Union will enhance these efforts.

Several initiatives were brought up, including campaigns to restore rivers and rehabilitate canals. Rizwana advocated for grassroots involvement and transparency in all development projects. She proposed that holding public hearings could greatly improve governance and community trust.

Gwyn Lewis reaffirmed the UN’s support for Bangladesh’s environmental objectives. She highlighted the government’s leadership and the importance of aligning national policies with local actions and global climate goals.

Both leaders acknowledged ongoing challenges, particularly the fragmented institutional frameworks that hinder effective collaboration. They agreed on the need to revive mechanisms like the Environment Community of Practice, which has been inactive for nearly a decade.

To move forward, they aim to turn climate policies into actionable initiatives. This meeting represents a crucial step in fostering innovative and sustainable environmental governance in Bangladesh.

In recent years, climate awareness has grown, with social media movements bringing attention to global climate issues. Users on platforms like Twitter and Instagram are increasingly calling for action. Many grassroots campaigns highlight the importance of local involvement in tackling environmental concerns.

As the world faces the effects of climate change, insights from experts underscore the urgency of these discussions. For instance, a recent study by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change emphasized that many regions are already experiencing severe impacts from changing weather patterns. Quick, cohesive action is key to Mitchell better outcomes for future generations.

For more details on climate initiatives, check out this UN report.

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