SAMARKAND, Uzbekistan, June 5, 2026 — State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Sheikh Faridul Islam has called on member countries of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to work collectively towards building a livable and sustainable planet for present and future generations.
He made the call while addressing the second-day session of the GEF Conference held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on Friday.
In his speech, the State Minister emphasized that environmental pollution could be significantly reduced through coordinated global efforts and by accurately identifying its sources. He highlighted the importance of international cooperation in implementing environmental protection measures and climate-resilient development programmes to ensure sustainable growth.
Referring to Bangladesh’s environmental commitments, Sheikh Faridul Islam said the government is implementing several ambitious initiatives as part of its electoral pledges. These include planting 250 million trees, re-excavating 20,000 kilometres of rivers and canals, generating 10,000 megawatts of solar power, and expanding waste-to-energy projects over the next five years.
He also noted that Bangladesh is advancing nature-based solutions and ecosystem-based adaptation programmes to strengthen climate resilience and environmental sustainability.
The State Minister reaffirmed Bangladesh’s strong commitment to achieving the goals and obligations of the GEF in protecting the environment and addressing climate change. He stressed the need to further enhance cooperation and partnerships among member states to tackle growing environmental challenges effectively.
The GEF Conference in Samarkand brought together representatives from 186 member countries, environmental experts, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and private sector stakeholders to discuss global environmental priorities and collaborative solutions.
