Bangladesh commits to strengthening cooperation on climate issues

May 11, 2025

City Desk :

Bangladesh has reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to strengthen regional cooperation in climate resilience and disaster risk reduction.

Secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR) Mostafizur Rahman made this commitment at the 4th Ministerial Conference of the Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES) in Colombo, Sri Lanka, said a press release received here on Saturday.

Speaking at a high-level conference, Mostafizur Rahman emphasized the importance of partnerships, innovation, and community-centered approaches to build a safer and more climate-resilient future.

“We believe through partnership, innovation and people-centered approaches, we can translate early warnings into early actions to protect lives and livelihoods of millions,” he said, reports BSS.
Additional Secretary and Director of the Cyclone Preparedness Programme (CPP) Ahmadul Haque and Director of the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) Momenul Islam are also included in the delegation.

The 4th RIMES Ministerial Conference, hosted by the Government of Sri Lanka, marks a strategic milestone for the institution as it sets the course through the adoption of the RIMES Master Plan 2026-2030.

Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES) is an international and intergovernmental institution for African and Asian countries.

Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Dr. Harini Amarasuriya inaugurated the conference held with the theme “Actionable Early Warnings and Climate Services for All”.

Representatives from 62 RIMES member, collaborating states and development partners joined the conference to advance regional resilience in the face of escalating climate and disaster risks. Bangladesh is a key member of RIMES for over two decades.

RIMES Director General Arjunapermal Subbiah said, the ministerial has taken step to align the priorities under a shared Master Plan. In 2017, RIMES created a Data Exchange Platform and country-customized decision support systems.