More focus needs on climatic risks on BD’s dev : Speakers

Staff Reporter :

Speakers in a seminar on Tuesday stressed over giving more focus on climatic risk and climate science in urban development In Bangladesh.
The Centre for Participatory Research and Development (CPRD) orchestrated the seminar titled ‘Climate Resilient Urban Development in Bangladesh: Policy Gaps and Recommendations,’ as part of the 7th UIUInternational Conference on Sustainable Development. Hosted at United International University, the event was chaired and moderated by Md. Shamsuddoha, CPRD’s Chief Executive. The event also featured distinguished Discussants such as Partha Hefaz Shaikh , Director, Policy and Advocacy, WaterAid Bangladesh; Mohammad Zobair Hasan, Deputy Executive Director, DORP; Prof. Dr. Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder, Chairman, Department of ENV, Stamford University;Khodeja Sultana Lopa, Country Director of Diakonia;Shahnawaz Whara, Regional Climate and Resilience Advocacy Manager, Practical Action; Md. Jubaer Rashid, Country Representative, ICLEI, Bangladesh; and Md. Atiqur Rahman Mollick, Environment Specialist, Onushandhani Creeds Limited; among others. Numerous Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) representatives actively participated, contributing ondiverse perspectives. The seminar unveiled research findings, presented by CPRD’s Research and Advocacy Officer, Naznin Sultana, and Research Assistant Elmee Tabassum, offering insights into the current state of climate-resilient urban development in Bangladesh, focusing on the crucial thematic areas of mitigation, adaptation, and inclusiveness.
The policy research findings shared in the seminar was intended to identify the status quo of climate-resilient urban development in Bangladeshthrough three thematic lenses- Mitigation, Adaptation, Inclusiveness. Intensive scrutinizing of policy literature revealed that although there are numerous existing policies, implementation of which is inhibited by myriads of challenges. The study findings suggested some key recommendations and scope ofCSOs advocacy which through a collaborative effort by Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) can be carry forwarded to address pivotal challenges and enhance climate-resilient urban development in Bangladesh.