Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo held a meeting with Asian Development Bank (ADB) Vice President for South, Central and West Asia Yingming Yang on Monday to discuss strengthening development cooperation, climate action and sustainable development in Bangladesh.
During the meeting at the minister’s office, the two sides reviewed Bangladesh’s long-standing partnership with ADB and discussed opportunities to expand cooperation in climate adaptation and mitigation, climate finance, forest and biodiversity conservation, air and plastic pollution control, renewable energy and environmentally sustainable urban and infrastructure development.
They also discussed increasing ADB’s technical and financial support for vulnerable communities affected by climate change and for developing climate-resilient infrastructure.
Minister Mintoo said Bangladesh is among the countries most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change despite contributing little to global emissions.
He said the government is prioritising both adaptation and mitigation measures to protect people’s lives and livelihoods as well as the country’s natural resources.
Yingming Yang praised Bangladesh’s efforts to address climate change and expressed ADB’s interest in further strengthening its partnership with the country in environmental protection, climate-resilient infrastructure, clean energy and sustainable development.
The two sides also reviewed ongoing areas of cooperation and agreed to explore new projects and programmes of mutual interest.
