Bangladesh’s Climate Minister Rizwana Hasan said Saarc can drive climate action if revived. She highlighted regional cooperation for climate adaptation. Hasan urged countries to pool resources for water management and sustainable development. She stressed that collective efforts can strengthen climate resilience across South Asia.
Speaking at SDPI’s 28th Sustainable Development Conference in Islamabad, Hasan said Saarc could coordinate climate strategies efficiently. She noted that some member countries are less active. Hasan encouraged proactive countries to lead regional climate initiatives. Cooperation, she said, is key for tackling shared climate challenges.
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Hasan explained Bangladesh is working with Nepal and Bhutan on climate goals. She said these countries face similar challenges in accessing climate finance. They aim to present a unified position at climate negotiation forums. Conditional grants and technological assistance remain important for effective mitigation and adaptation.
On emission reductions, Hasan said Bangladesh’s contributions are small globally but crucial locally. She stressed switching to safer, cost-effective energy and industrial methods. Western countries should not link adaptation support to compliance. Clear climate finance definitions are necessary to avoid tagging development aid as climate funding.
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Regarding the loss and damage fund, Hasan said Bangladesh’s needs exceed the $250 million total allocation. She emphasized transparency, new funding, and debt-free support. Saarc climate action, Hasan concluded, could strengthen regional climate strategies and deliver sustainable solutions for vulnerable populations.