[🇧🇩] Save the Rivers/Forests/Hills-----Save the Environment

[Saif]

Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Nestlé among top plastic polluters: Study

Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Nestlé have been identified as the top three contributors to global plastic pollution in a new study published in the journal Science Advances on April 24.....

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Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Nestlé among top plastic polluters: Study
Staff Correspondent 27 April, 2024, 18:51

This photo taken on April 26, 2024 shows plastic wastes floating on water in river Buriganga in Dhaka. Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Nestlé have been identified as the top three contributors to global plastic pollution in a new study published in the journal Science Advances on April 24. | Sony Ramany.

Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Nestlé have been identified as the top three contributors to global plastic pollution in a new study published in the journal Science Advances on April 24.

The study, involving over 100,000 volunteers and cataloguing 1.8 million pieces of plastic waste from 84 countries between 2018 and 2022, identified 56 companies as responsible for over 50 per cent of branded plastic waste worldwide.

Among the companies, Coca-Cola is the biggest contributor, causing 11 per cent of global branded plastic pollution, followed by PepsiCo at 5 per cent, Nestlé and Danone each at 3 per cent and Altria at 2 per cent respectively.

The study, led by scientists at Dalhousie and a dozen different universities in the United States, Australia, the Philippines, New Zealand, Estonia, Chile, Sweden, and the UK, disclosed that 19,586 companies were accountable for all branded plastic, with major corporations in the food and tobacco industries emerging as the primary polluters in their respective regions.

The study highlighted that around 9,10,000 out of over 1.8 million plastic pieces had visible brands, while noting that plastic items can lose their brand identification due to exposure to sunlight and weather conditions.

It found over 50 per cent of plastic items unbranded, underscoring the necessity for improved transparency regarding the production and labelling of plastic products and packaging to enhance traceability and accountability.

The study observed that if the largest polluters phased out single-use and short-lived plastic products, it could significantly reduce global plastic pollution.

The countries used in the analysis represented a combined population of 6.5 billion people or about 81 per cent of the global population, based on July 2022 population estimates.

To effectively combat global plastic pollution, the study suggests that corporate producers of plastic waste must reduce the amount of plastic in their products and refrain from using regrettable alternatives.

This involves phasing out nonessential and avoidable single-use products and adopting safe, sustainable product designs that decrease the global demand for new items while promoting reusability, reparability, and recyclability, it added.​

 

[Saif]

To protect Dhaka’s future, balance urbanisation with greenscapes

The city's destiny hinges on all urbanites’ collective commitment to sustainable urbanisation.

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To protect Dhaka's future, balance urbanisation with greenscapes

Imagine a Dhaka where integrated greenways, adorned with trees, shrubs, and native plants, would offer respite from the concrete jungle that it is today. FILE PHOTO: NAIMUR RAHMAN

Rapid urbanisation, soaring temperatures, and the urgent need for sustainable solutions—are what currently defines the city of Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. The recent temperature surge in the city has been unprecedented. In April, it witnessed its second-highest temperature ever recorded, at 40.2 degrees Celsius. The highest temperature in Dhaka's history remains 42.3 degrees Celsius, recorded in April 1960. Heatwaves during the dry month of Chaitra, the Bangla calendar month that coincides with the period of mid-March to mid-April, intensified the discomfort, urging for a rethink of the country's urban strategies.

The intense heat absorbed by building walls and roofs from direct sunlight exposure can significantly raise temperatures, especially for top-floor flats in multistorey buildings in a city like Dhaka. Inadequate shade exacerbates this issue, leading to prolonged air conditioner use for comfort, resulting in higher energy consumption. The escalating demand for cooling devices has surged in Dhaka due to rising temperatures, which have increased by around three degrees Celsius over the past two decades, according to the Institute of Planning and Development (IPD).

This overuse of air conditioners has led to increased energy consumption both at the household and national levels. Studies have highlighted that a significant portion of electricity consumption in residential buildings is attributed to cooling purposes, with the latter noting that 38 percent of consumption is for cooling comfort provided by electric fans. According to a World Bank analysis in 2010, the majority of urban households in Dhaka consumed between 100 and 400 kWh of power per month, with wealthier households using over 400 kWh primarily due to increased air conditioner usage. This is ironic as air conditioners contribute to global warming.

Dhaka has been transforming into a city of roads, flyovers, and high-rises. Unfortunately, this development has come at the cost of widespread tree loss. Trees, crucial for heat mitigation, are being uprooted during road and flyover construction. Foliage gives way to concrete, and the microclimate within the city diverges significantly from rural surroundings. Dhaka's outdoor temperature registers 1-1.5 degrees higher than the adjacent regions. While development is essential for progress, preserving trees is equally critical. These natural air conditioners absorb heat, release moisture, and maintain ecological balance. Striking the balance between urban growth and safeguarding green spaces is vital for Dhaka's resilience against extreme temperatures and ensuring a sustainable future.

The metro rail system has emerged as a popular mass transit solution for Dhaka. Its expansion promises efficient connectivity and reduced traffic congestion. Integrating metro lines with greenways and blue nodes can revolutionise urban mobility. Imagine a network where metro stations seamlessly blend with green corridors. These integrated greenways, adorned with trees, shrubs, and native plants, would offer respite from the concrete jungle. At strategic points, blue nodes, natural water bodies, or revitalised canals become urban oases. Imagine strolling along a tree-lined path with glimpses of shimmering water, a harmonious blend of nature and infrastructure.

These authors conducted several studies on the plausible impact of integrated greenways in ameliorating street canyon microclimates of residential Dhaka, ensuring pedestrian thermal comfort for the urbanites, between 2016 and 2023. These studies revealed that Dhaka's street canyons are thermally uncomfortable for pedestrians with raised air temperature (TA), mean radiant temperature (MRT), reduced relative humidity (RH), and wind speed (WS) during hot summer days. The authors steered field investigation in 13 points of eight street canyons for bare (no tree) and green or greenway (large green trees on either side of the roads) canyons. The field investigation showed that the greenway identical street canyons showed lower TA by 0.73-1.34 degrees and higher RH up to 0.44-1.58 percent than the bare canyons.

Dhaka's roads are mostly categorised into primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. While tertiary roads mostly serve as residential access routes, primary and secondary roads can be strategically integrated with greenways. Transforming selected roads into greenways while preserving the alternative ones for vehicular access enhances thermal comfort. Even tertiary roads, transformed into partial or half greenways or fully orthodox pedestrian greenways, effectively moderate temperatures.

Outside Dhaka, cities following similar development trajectories should reevaluate their strategies. Preservation should take precedence over relentless construction. While development is important and inevitable, it should be harnessed for climatic advantage. Incorporating blue and green networks during planning ensures a sustainable future. Reducing reliance on air coolers and promoting natural ventilation by keeping windows open enhances comfort. Transforming hard surfaces into softscapes, such as porous pavements, improves the microclimate. These materials allow for evapotranspiration, cooling the surroundings. Cool pavements, including PICP, can tremendously reduce daytime TA and MRT.

Edifices can contribute significantly to temperature reduction. Green roofs act as insulators, absorbing excess heat and providing additional green space. Vertical green walls enhance aesthetics, improve air quality, and reduce heat absorption. Urbanisation does not need to come at the cost of green spaces; rather, it should harmonise with them.

With the support of the UK-based Wellcome Trust, Griffith University, the University of Sydney, BMT, and Buet jointly conducted a three-year research project on the escalating heat exposure at garment factories in Bangladesh and its impact on workers. Workers at RMG factories endure physical discomfort from excessive heat exposure exacerbated by global warming, significantly reducing their productivity. This reduction is projected to reach five percent of the workers' total work hours by 2030.

Bangladesh is predicted to experience an increase of temperature by two degrees Celsius by 2050, which will lead to more frequent heatwaves, posing challenges for RMG factories. Increased reliance on air conditioners, as well as coal and gas for power generation, exacerbate the situation. However, proactive measures can reduce temperatures by two to three degrees through natural heat control methods, preserving work hours and minimising worker discomfort. A pilot project implementing climate change heat reduction recommendations can pave the way for sustainable solutions.

Dhaka thrives as a city of possibilities, a place where progress aligns with nature, ensuring comfort, resilience, and well-being for all. Its destiny hinges on all urbanites' collective commitment to sustainable urbanisation. Let Dhaka be a city where progress coexists harmoniously with nature, a beacon of sustainable urban living, ensuring comfort, resilience, and well-being for all.

Dr Md Ashikur Rahman Joarder is professor of environment and energy at the Department of Architecture, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet).

Zarrin Tasnim is lecturer at the Department of Architecture, Fareast International University (FIU).​

 

[Saif]

Environmental issues to be included in textbooks: minister

Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury today said his ministry has initiated the inclusion of issues related to environmental conservation and climate change mitigation in the curriculum for students from Class 3 to 8

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Environmental issues to be included in textbooks: minister

Saber Hossain Chowdhury. Star File Photo.

Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury today said his ministry has initiated the inclusion of issues related to environmental conservation and climate change mitigation in the curriculum for students from Class 3 to 8.

"The ministry is undertaking such initiatives to instill awareness in children from a young age," he said.

The minister made these remarks while speaking as the chief guest at the National Seminar on "Citizen Roadmap to Advance Sustainable Urbanisation and Environmental Protection", organised by Counterpart International with funding of USAID, held at a hotel in the capital.

Saber said everyone must be more mindful of plastic usage, city authorities must have a proactive role in waste management. The government cannot address these issues alone; collaboration with all stakeholders is essential and called for a caucus in parliament involving 46 MPs, who had pledged to address waste management.

He said effective measures are being taken to combat air and noise pollution.

Muhammad N Khan, director of the Office of Economic Growth at USAID; Katie Croake, chief of party at Counterpart International; Gwendolyn Appel, vice president of programmes at Counterpart International, and Ijaz Hossain, former professor and dean at the Department of Chemical Engineering at BUET, were also present.​

 

[Saif]

Govt to enhance eco-tech in rice cultivation: Saber

Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury today shared plans to boost the adoption of eco-friendly technologies in rice cultivation, aimed at curbing greenhouse gas emissions

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Govt to enhance eco-tech in rice cultivation: Saber

Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury today shared plans to boost the adoption of eco-friendly technologies in rice cultivation, aimed at curbing greenhouse gas emissions.

Embracing such technologies not only mitigates carbon footprints but also optimises resource utilisation, potentially unlocking opportunities for international carbon crediting.

The minister shared these insights during a meeting with a coalition comprising the Asian Development Bank, the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industries, and Cisco, convened at his residence in Dhaka's Paribagh.

Acknowledging the efforts of the Asian Development Bank and Cisco in launching a pilot project in the Barendra region, Saber emphasised the significance of technology in resolving water scarcity and slashing carbon emissions.

He expressed readiness to endorse initiatives that address these critical issues, urging stakeholders to submit proposals through the Ministry of Agriculture.

Highlighting the pivotal role of the private sector and farmers, he underscored the importance of implementing carbon-reducing smart agricultural practices to bolster productivity and yield positive outcomes while grappling with challenges like dwindling groundwater levels and the imperative of decarbonisation.

The delegation commended Bangladesh's proactive stance and pledged support in advancing environmental sustainability endeavours.​

 

[Saif]

Climate victims testify at Americas rights court in historic case

From Mexicans left homeless by rising seas to Colombians affected by coral bleaching, hundreds of people are telling the top human rights court in the Americas what climate change means to them in a historic case that could shape international law

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Climate victims testify at Americas rights court in historic case

Activists and residents hold a banner reading 'Climate emergency' while standing near houses destroyed by rising sea levels, forcing villagers to relocate, in El Bosque, Mexico November 7, 2022.

From Mexicans left homeless by rising seas to Colombians affected by coral bleaching, hundreds of people are telling the top human rights court in the Americas what climate change means to them in a historic case that could shape international law.

Environmental lawyers also hope the hearings at the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACHR), which were requested by Colombia and Chile, will define the duties of states to confront the climate crisis and stop it from infringing on human rights.

As well as receiving submissions from climate victims, the Costa Rica-based court, which started its inquiry in Barbados in April, will hear from UN agencies, legal experts, grassroots environmental campaign groups, and youth groups.

The next sessions are due to be held in Brasilia and then in Manaus, Brazil at the end of May, and an advisory opinion is expected by May 2025.

"We're hoping that the court's legal opinion is a guide and reference for Mexico, and other states, to develop public policies from a climate justice perspective," said Nora Cabrera, a lawyer and head of Our Future, a Mexico-based youth climate justice campaign group.

"And that it includes loss and damage compensation for affected communities, and adaptation policies for those not yet directly affected by climate change," said Cabrera, who will be speaking at the next hearing in Manaus.

In January, Colombia and Chile asked the IACHR to issue an advisory opinion, saying that they were experiencing the "daily challenge of dealing with the consequences of the climate emergency," including fires, landslides, droughts and floods.

"These events reveal the need for an urgent response based on the principles of equity, justice, cooperation and sustainability, with a human rights-based approach," they said in their petition.

"There is a close relationship between the climate emergency and the violation of human rights," they added.

It is this link between climate change and human rights that the IACHR will seek to define, while also examining how climate change affects migration and looking at the disproportionate effect on children, women and Indigenous people.

Chile and Colombia also asked the court for clarification on a state's duties to protect environmental activists.

Latin America is the most dangerous place in the world for environmental and land defenders, according to advocacy group Global Witness. Around 90% of the 177 killings of environmental activists recorded in 2022 took place in the region.

"The hearing aims to ask for clarity about human rights obligations and the climate crisis," said Jacob Kopas, senior attorney at the Earthjustice environmental group, one of a group of lawyers who spoke at the Barbados hearing on April 26.

"It will help to create a more concise framework to guide state behavior and policy to confront the climate crisis and protect human rights," said Kopas.

WE'RE LIVING CLIMATE CHANGE NOW

Among those submitting testimonies will be the residents of the El Bosque fishing community in Tabasco, Mexico, where rising sea levels caused by climate change have swept away about 200 meters of coastline.

Since 2019, the school and more than 50 homes have been destroyed, forcing about 200 people to leave.

El Bosque community leader, Guadalupe Cobos, said she and 10 neighbors will probably have to leave within a year and resettle in an area about 12 km away, where new homes are being built by the government.

"We depend on the sea but coastal erosion has affected our way of life. It's important for the court to know that we're living climate change now and that this isn't something that will happen in the future in 20 or 50 years' time," said Cobos.

"We want the court to hear our experiences and to know that our rights have been violated, that we have been forced to migrate," Cobos told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

The court's advisory opinion could have important implications for climate litigation across Latin America and the Caribbean and make it easier for communities living with the effects of global warming to take legal action.

The opinion will apply to all signatories of the American Convention on Human Rights, most of whom are members of the Organization of American States. The United States and Canada have not ratified the treaty however.

The advisory opinion will help shape the region's legal systems as many countries incorporate its jurisprudence into their laws and constitutions.

"We're hoping that the court makes the link between the climate crisis and human rights violations and that it recognizes climate displacement," said Cabrera, whose organization has been supporting the El Bosque community.

FUTURE CLIMATE LITIGATION

The IACHR is known for its progressive stance on climate justice and human rights.

In March, it recognized that citizens in Peru have the right to a healthy environment when it ruled in favor of people living in the Andean mining town of La Oroya, who had suffered from decades of environmental pollution.

Other courts are also breaking new ground in this sphere.

In Colombia in April, in response to a lawsuit filed by a farming couple who were driven out of their home by flooding caused by heavy rains, the country's constitutional court recognized the links between environmental disasters and climate change and people being forcibly displaced.

Across the world, other top courts are also examining the connection between human rights and climate change. On April 9, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled that the Swiss government had violated the human rights of its citizens by failing to do enough to combat climate change.

Two other courts - the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Seas (ITLOS) - are also expected to give advisory opinions on the international legal obligations of states regarding climate change.

Kopas said the IACHR ruling could lead the way by delivering a "forward-reaching and progressive" advisory opinion.

"It's historic because of the climate crisis we are in. This is the crisis of our lifetime and of all future generations."​

 

[Saif]

Sundarbans fire rages on

Firefighters yet to start working to douse the blaze for lack of water

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Sundarbans fire rages on
Firefighters yet to start working to douse the blaze for lack of water

Photo: Collected

A fire that broke out at Chandpai range of East Sundarbans in Bagerhat this afternoon is yet to be doused for lack of a nearby water source.

The fire originated in Latif's Chila area near Amurbunia patrol post of the mangrove forest around 3:30pm, said Kazi Mohammad Nurul Karim, divisional forest officer (DFO) of Sundarbans eastern division, reports our Bagerhat correspondent.

Mohammad Kayamuzzaman, station officer of Mongla Fire Station, said on information, fire service members from Morrelganj and Mongla stations rushed to the spot but could not start working to control the fire due to lack of water.

They said the nearest source of water (Bhola river) is about two kilometres away.

"We will start working to douse the fire tomorrow morning," added Kayamuzzaman.

Rana Dev, assistant conservator of forests (ACF) of Chandpai range of Sundarbans, said forest guards and locals first saw the fire in the forest and tried to control it.

Later in the evening, the firefighting units reached the spot.

Meanwhile, DFO Kazi Mohammad Nurul Kabir and Morrelgonj UNO Md Tareque Sultan also visited the spot.

The forest officials are yet to confirm how the fire broke out.​

 

[Saif]

A novel approach to waste management

Can DNCC’s cash-for-waste initiative help tackle dengue?

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A novel approach to waste management
Can DNCC's cash-for-waste initiative help tackle dengue?

VISUAL: STAR

The Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) under its current leadership has been known to approach civic issues with a degree of innovation sometimes, even though its impact hasn't been widely felt. Innovation is still necessary and should be encouraged with proper supervision given the magnitude of the problems facing the city. One of these is littering or improper waste disposal leading to pollution of water bodies, environmental degradation, diseases, etc. Against this backdrop, the recent initiative by the DNCC to purchase discarded items from residents as a means of combatting dengue deserves to be acknowledged.

The month-long campaign will encourage residents to collect and exchange these waste items for cash. According to officials, purchasing rates will vary from item to item: Tk 1 for each packet of chips, Tk 2 for each coconut shell, Tk 10 for each ice-cream packet, and Tk 50 per kilogramme for discarded polythene. Furthermore, containers made of clay, plastic, melamine, or ceramic will be purchased at Tk 3 each, abandoned tyres at Tk 50 each, and abandoned commodes and basins at Tk 100 each. These items and containers are potential breeding grounds for Aedes mosquitoes, and the DNCC aims to take them out before the monsoon season begins.

We have to admit that if done right and later scaled up to include a large number of residents, the project has the potential to help in our fight against the menace of plastics. But it is crucial to ensure transparency in the process as public funds are involved. More importantly, it is important that such initiatives are taken as part of a bigger plan to address our plastic problem of which a dengue outbreak is but a side-effect. Plastic pollution needs holistic interventions that not only incentivise waste collection but also ensure proper disposal and recycling of all plastic products.

We, therefore, urge the authorities to ensure that all such initiatives are properly planned, aligned and executed. The city corporations and municipalities also must ensure that their own waste management departments function properly to advance these goals.​

 

[Saif]

Sundarbans fire now under control: ministry

A fire that broke out in the Amurbunia area at Chandpai range of the Sundarbans East Zone yesterday afternoon is now under control

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Sundarbans fire now under control: ministry

Photo: Collected

A fire that broke out in the Amurbunia area at Chandpai range of the Sundarbans East Zone yesterday afternoon is now under control.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change issued a statement in this regard this afternoon.

"Although the fire is under control, fire extinguishing activities will continue for the next few days," the statement read.

Apart from the forest department, several units of fire service, navy, police, district administration, upazila administration, public representatives, Community Patrol Groups, volunteers, and locals are assisting in extinguishing the fire.

Besides, an air force helicopter assisted in extinguishing the blaze by spraying water from above, it added.

A three-member committee has already been formed by the DFO, east of Khulna Circle of the forest department, to investigate the exact cause of the fire.

The Forest Department workers, fire service, and other related government agencies reached the spot immediately after the fire was first reported around 3:30pm yesterday, added the statement.​

 

[Saif]

Brick kilns on river question govt’s will to protect rivers

The sorry state of rivers is blamed, among others, on an unabated grabbing of river land by entrepreneurs and individuals enjoying political and moneyed clout. Some entrepreneurs setting up brick kilns, as a photograph with...

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Brick kilns on river question govt's will to protect rivers
06 May, 2024, 00:00

The sorry state of rivers is blamed, among others, on an unabated grabbing of river land by entrepreneurs and individuals enjoying political and moneyed clout. Some entrepreneurs setting up brick kilns, as a photograph with a number of kiln chimneys sprouting on the river that New Age published on May 5 shows, on the Dhaleshwari at Sirajdikhan in Munshiganj shows the extent of river land grabbing and the nonchalance of the authorities concerned. Dhaleshwari river land grab have made headlines many times in the past, too. A lawmaker is reported in 2018 to have set up a power plant on the Dhaleshwari. The Inland Water Transport Authority in 2019 identified 256 illegal structures on the river banks, conducted eviction drives and reclaimed some land. Local people then alleged that the authorities only evicted small grabbers, leaving out influential grabbers and large industries. Even the areas reclaimed went back into the hands of grabbers within months. Such incidents appear to characterise all river land reclamation efforts.

It largely appears that eviction drives, often conducted on court orders, have done nothing to sort out the problem. In most eviction drives, influential people manage to somehow save themselves and the land grabbed. The court intervened a number of times and ordered the government to make a list of grabbers. The government made such lists, too, but failed to take a holistic approach to reclaim the grabbed land and save the rivers. The lists of grabbers, as various official estimates say, vary in the ranges of 50,000–65,000 and the grabbers include not only people with political clout but also public agencies. The court asked the government to prepare an action plan detailing the timeframe, logistics and resources required to free rivers of encroachment and demarcate river boundaries for their protection, evict encroachers and restore the rivers to their original state. The court also asked the government to make the National River Conservation Commission an independent and effective institution, but the commission has lived to be a mere 'recommending body', without any statutory power of intervention or implementation. All this points to a worrying lack of political will on part of the government.

The authorities concerned must, therefore, take action against those who set up brick kilns on the Dhaleshwari. Most important, the government must take a holistic approach to save all rivers from being encroached. The government must draw up a comprehensive plan to reclaim the rivers, restore them to their original state and establish a mechanism to make the reclamation sustainable. It is high time the government drew up the plan and effectively executed it to end the circle of reclamation and reoccupation.​

 

[Saif]

ADB's climate financing should be concessional, says finance minister

Finance Minister AH Mahmood Ali has called upon the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to make its climate financing concessional. The minister said this while placing five specific proposals regarding measures for tackling immediate economic concerns of the developing member countries (DMC) at the turb

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

ADB's climate financing should be concessional, says finance minister
FE ONLINE DESK
Published :
May 05, 2024 15:17
Updated :
May 05, 2024 19:42

Finance Minister AH Mahmood Ali has called upon the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to make its climate financing concessional.

The minister said this while placing five specific proposals regarding measures for tackling immediate economic concerns of the developing member countries (DMC) at the turbulent time.

In placing the proposals on Sunday, he said geo-political uncertainties are disproportionately affecting impoverished segments of the globe, reports UNB.

Taking macro economic predicaments into consideration, policy-based support and concessional financing would be instrumental in tackling immediate economic concerns of the developing member countries, Ali said while delivering his statement at the business session of the Board of Governors 57th ADB Annual Meeting in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia.

"We expect that ADB's climate financing should be concessional," he said.

Moreover, the Bangladesh finance minister said, as rightly expressed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, climate finance must also meet three other criteria: sufficiency, regularity, and accessibility.

He called upon ADB to undertake more projects to minimise existing digital disparities on the one hand and unlock the potential of 4IR technologies on the other hand.

Due to heightened volatility and a widening spread of commodity prices, Ali said the prime minister has given directives that not a single inch of agricultural land be kept unused.

"Aligned with her vision, we want ADB will undertake projects to induce smart technologies in our agriculture, facilitate modern marketing facilities and eliminate barriers to fully unlock the potentials of agro-businesses," said the finance minister.

Under fiscal constraints, he said, Bangladesh seeks ADB's upstream knowledge support for framing strategies to meet its immediate energy needs.

Moreover, Ali said, it wants ADB to bring more investment in renewable energy with appropriate tech solutions.

"As our own Asian Bank, to ADB we held higher expectations. I have strong hopes that this conference will set the just vision for us to steer through a muddled world, determine strategies for addressing real challenges, scale up concessional climate finance, and harness newer opportunities in digital economic cooperation and building regional connectivity," he said.

Ali said they are currently living in a world that is plagued by weak and uneven global growth, decades-high inflation, reduced fiscal space, high real interest rates and elevated debt incidences.

"Facing all these odds, our assembling here at the crossroads of East and West drums up the urgency of building robust connectivity as well as consolidating our collective actions for bridging to the future," he said.

With a clear national vision and under the prudent leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the minister said, Bangladesh rode on a high growth trajectory before the pandemic.

"ADB lent to us fitting support in this epic journey. However, for prolonged war, rising geopolitical tensions and frequent raids of extreme weather events, Bangladesh, like many other developing economies, is currently experiencing persistent headwinds and continued volatility," Ali said.

For Bangladesh, he said, the challenge is now how to manage macro fundamentals while pursuing a path for sustained higher growth.

"Our challenge is now how to garner additional funds while counterbalancing debt accumulations," he mentioned.

President of ADB Masatsugu Asakawa and Chair of the Board of Governors Lasha Khutsishvili, among others, were present at the event.​