Dhaka eyes ASEAN-SAARC climate cooperation
Bangladesh wants to serve as a bridge between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries to strengthen regional cooperation on climate change and environmental protection.
Dr Saimum Parvez, special assistant to the prime minister on environment, forests and climate affairs made the remarks while speaking as a special guest at the opening ceremony of the Regional Conference of Youth (RCOY) at BRAC University in Dhaka on Saturday.
Saimum said Bangladesh could play a leading role in environmental protection through regional cooperation, active youth participation and collective initiatives, stressing that climate change, pollution and environmental degradation were shared challenges requiring joint solutions.
Describing climate change as a present crisis rather than a distant threat, he said people were already experiencing its impacts in their daily lives, including rising sea levels, cyclones, increasing salinity in coastal areas and higher temperatures.
Countries across the region share rivers, mountain ranges and coastal ecosystems, making cooperation essential to addressing the growing environmental challenges, he said.
“Young people are not only the leaders of tomorrow; they are leaders of today,” Saimum said, emphasising the importance of youth participation in shaping climate policies and developing practical solutions.
He called on young people to move beyond raising demands on climate issues and take concrete action by developing innovative approaches to climate-smart agriculture, waste management and disaster preparedness.
Investment in young people, he said, was an investment in building a climate-resilient future.
Saimum urged young people to undertake environmental initiatives on their campuses and in their cities and countries, while constructively scrutinising policymakers, challenging decisions and holding authorities accountable.
He also highlighted the government’s plan to plant 250 million trees over the next five years, calling on young people to make tree planting part of everyday culture.
Suggesting that tree planting could become a regular social practice, he encouraged young people to give saplings as gifts and take initiatives to expand greenery on university campuses and in urban areas.
He said youth-led innovation and community-level initiatives could make a meaningful contribution to environmental protection, while stronger regional partnerships would help countries address climate challenges that transcend national borders.
The event had brought together more than 300 young people, including over 100 international participants, providing a platform for young climate activists to exchange ideas, share experiences and explore collaborative approaches to environmental challenges.
Saimum stressed that building a greener and more resilient future required collective action across generations and national boundaries, urging young people to turn their ideas into practical initiatives.
He said Bangladesh’s ambition to connect ASEAN and SAARC countries through environmental cooperation reflected the need for greater regional solidarity in tackling the climate crisis.
