DHAKA: BRAC University Vice-Chancellor Professor Syed Ferhat Anwar has urged Bangladesh to take a leadership role in environmental conservation, highlighting the country’s unique ecological assets, including the world’s largest mangrove forest, the largest delta, the longest natural sea beach and the world’s largest deep-sea submarine fan.
“Bangladesh is the world’s largest delta. We are home to the world’s largest mangrove forest, the longest sea beach and the largest deep-sea submarine fan. Therefore, Bangladesh should also take a leadership role in global environmental and biodiversity conservation,” he said.
Professor Anwar made the remarks while inaugurating a two-day programme marking World Environment Day and World Nature Conservation Day 2026 at BRAC University’s Merul Badda campus on August 8. The programme was organized by the university’s Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Research (C3ER), with support from Mutual Trust Bank PLC (MTB).
He stressed the important role of academia in tackling environmental challenges through research, innovation and youth empowerment.
“BRAC University has an advantage that many other universities do not—the strength of our sister organization, BRAC, which has a presence across the country. We want to leverage this strength to contribute more to environmental conservation and climate action and help build a better Bangladesh and a better world,” he said.
A submarine fan is a large accumulation of sediment deposited in deep-marine environments, often near continental margins. Such formations can also have significance for hydrocarbon exploration. The Bengal Fan, the world’s largest submarine fan, extends across much of the Bay of Bengal and is about 3,000 kilometres long, 1,430 kilometres wide and has sediment deposits reaching up to 16.5 kilometres in thickness.
Chief guest Shaikh Faridul Islam, State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, said the government has launched an initiative to plant 250 million trees across the country. Mapping is already underway to identify tree species suitable for different regions.
He also called for the closure of wood-fuelled brick kilns, replacing single-use polythene with biodegradable alternatives and conducting public health impact assessments before implementing major development projects.
Dr Md Saimum Parvez, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, emphasized the importance of the “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” principle and the circular economy approach, under which waste is converted into reusable resources. He urged government agencies, educational institutions, banks and civil society to work together on waste management.
BRAC University Professor Emeritus and C3ER adviser Dr Ainun Nishat said Bangladesh is suffering the consequences of a climate crisis that it contributed little to creating. He noted that Bangladesh has signed around 40 to 50 international environmental agreements and called for stronger implementation of these commitments alongside greater domestic accountability.
Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Arshad Mahmud Chowdhury stressed collective action by the government, academia, private sector and citizens to address climate and environmental challenges. He also reaffirmed BRAC University’s commitment to sustainable development.
MTB Managing Director and CEO Syed Mahbubur Rahman highlighted the bank’s initiatives for nature and environmental conservation under its corporate social responsibility programmes. He urged students to become actively involved in environmental protection and prepare themselves to lead Bangladesh in the future.
AKM Sohel, Additional Secretary and Wing Chief of the UN Wing at the Economic Relations Division, said Bangladesh is placing increasing emphasis on adaptation-focused climate finance and improving access to global climate funds.
He urged young people to develop expertise in climate finance, project design and proposal development so they can contribute more effectively to strengthening Bangladesh’s climate resilience.
C3ER Director Dr Golam Rabbani delivered the keynote presentation, emphasizing large-scale tree plantation, environmental restoration, greener and cleaner cities and improved waste management.
The programme also recognized the top three participants of the She4Climate Fellowship Programme, which promotes women’s leadership in climate action.
Policymakers, environmental experts, researchers, private-sector representatives and students participated in five technical sessions on climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, nature-based solutions and youth engagement.
The two-day programme concluded with a collective commitment to strengthen environmental stewardship and build a more sustainable and climate-resilient Bangladesh. The event was held as BRAC University celebrates its 25th anniversary and aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 13, 14, 15 and 17.
