Bangladesh environment minister and SACEP chief discussed boosting regional cooperation to address climate change, pollution, biodiversity loss and waste management, highlighting joint action and afforestation efforts across South Asia regionally.
Bangladesh’s Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo held talks with South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme (SACEP) Director General Norbu Wangchuk on Monday, focusing on strengthening regional cooperation to tackle pollution and climate challenges.
The meeting took place at the minister’s office in the Bangladesh Secretariat in Dhaka, where both sides discussed joint efforts among member countries to address air and water pollution, reduce plastic use, improve waste management and protect biodiversity.
They emphasized the need to deepen collaboration across South Asia to effectively confront shared environmental threats, particularly those linked to climate change.
Mintoo called for expanding Bangladesh’s cooperation with SACEP on key environmental protection issues, highlighting the government’s ongoing initiatives to combat air, water, noise and marine pollution alongside climate impacts.
He also outlined the government’s afforestation drive, stating that under its election manifesto, Bangladesh plans to plant 250 million trees over five years, with a target of 50 million trees annually. He said authorities are working tirelessly to fulfill this commitment.
Wangchuk reaffirmed SACEP member states’ commitment to working together under various international conventions to strengthen environmental protection and climate action across the region.
Senior officials from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and SACEP were present at the meeting.
