Rizwana Hasan Calls for Regional Unity to Tackle South Asia's Environmental Crises.
Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Water Resources Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has emphasized that environmental challenges do not stop at national borders and therefore demand trust, cooperation, and continuous dialogue among South Asian nations. She underscored the importance of strong regional platforms like SACEP in tackling shared issues such as transboundary air pollution, river basin management, cross-border plastic waste movement, and the protection of critical ecosystems, including the Sundarbans.
The Adviser made these remarks when Norbu Wangchuk, Director General of the South Asian Cooperative Environment Programme (SACEP), paid a courtesy call on her at the Bangladesh Secretariat. Their meeting focused on strengthening regional cooperation on climate action, environmental protection, and transboundary ecological challenges in South Asia.
During the discussion, Wangchuk highlighted SACEP’s ongoing initiatives across member countries—including climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, air quality improvement, and marine pollution control programs. He praised Bangladesh’s environmental leadership and reaffirmed SACEP’s readiness to support Bangladesh through collaborative projects, capacity building, and multi-donor funding platforms.
Advisor Rizwana Hasan encouraged deeper joint programming between Bangladesh and SACEP, particularly in climate adaptation, air quality management, and biodiversity protection. She stressed the need to keep environmental priorities at the forefront of regional and national policymaking, even during political or economic transitions.
SACEP DG Wangchuk also briefed the Adviser on SACEP’s governance structure, upcoming Governing Council engagements, and the organisation’s expanded plans for technical and programmatic collaboration. He invited Bangladesh to play an active leadership role in SACEP’s future initiatives, including regional efforts on air quality supported by international development partners.
The Adviser appreciated SACEP’s continued cooperation and reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to advancing collective environmental solutions in South Asia. She expressed hope that strengthened regional collaboration would deliver tangible benefits for the people of the region, especially those most vulnerable to climate impacts.
The meeting concluded with both sides agreeing to enhance coordination and explore new opportunities aligned with Bangladesh’s national environmental and climate priorities.
Dr. Farhana Ahmed, Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and high officials of the ministry were also present in the occasion.