BD, Maldives focus green ties thru tree planting

Bangladesh and the Maldives underscored their shared commitment to environmental sustainability and climate action as Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman joined a tree planting ceremony in Malé during the Maldives’ 61st Independence Day celebrations.

Dr Rahman planted a Christina (Syzygium campanulatum) tree at Lonuziyaarai Park under the Maldives’ Five Million Trees Project, an initiative launched by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu to expand the country’s green cover, according to Foreign Ministry on Monday.

The ceremony was attended by Maldives Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam and Minister of Climate Change, Environment and Energy Ali Shareef.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Rahman praised President Muizzu’s afforestation initiative and said Bangladesh was pursuing a similar programme under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

He noted that the Bangladesh government is implementing a plan to plant 250 million trees over the next five years, describing it as part of the country’s broader commitment to environmental protection and climate resilience.

The foreign minister said the tree planting initiatives undertaken by the leaders of Bangladesh and the Maldives reflected the two countries’ shared commitment to environmental sustainability, climate action and safeguarding the planet for future generations.

Dr Rahman also recalled the late President Ziaur Rahman’s initiative to plant large groves of Azadirachta indica trees in the plains of Arafat in Saudi Arabia, which are now widely known as the “Zia Trees”.

The tree planting ceremony took place ahead of the Maldives’ Independence Day parade, which Dr Rahman attended as the Special Guest of the Maldivian government during his official visit to the island nation.

The foreign minister is visiting the Maldives at the invitation of the Maldivian government to participate in the celebrations marking the 61st anniversary of the country’s independence.