Bangladesh’s adaptation measures, from early warning systems to community-led solutions, could offer lessons for international climate partnerships focused on finance, capacity and accountability.
Climate partnerships should put communities at the centre of planning and deliver fair finance, stronger local capacity and transparent implementation, Dr Md Saimum Parvez, special assistant to the prime minister (Environment) said at a conference in Dhaka on Wednesday.
Speaking at the Bangladesh Climate Development Partnership (BCDP) Knowledge Conference 2026, Parvez outlined four principles for effective, people-centred cooperation: local ownership, accessible and fair finance, capacity building, and transparency and accountability.
He highlighted Bangladesh’s early warning systems, volunteer networks, community-based adaptation and rainwater harvesting as examples of experience that can be shared with other countries. He also cited initiatives that turn plastic waste into furniture as examples of local innovation.
“Local ownership must be ensured. Communities must be at the heart of planning and implementing climate projects, with local knowledge and priorities guiding decisions,” he said.
Parvez called for climate finance to be grant-based rather than loan-based, and to reach vulnerable people, including those in remote areas.
He said partnerships should build local capabilities through exchanges of knowledge, technology and experience, enabling communities to implement their own solutions without creating long-term dependency.
“Transparency and accountability must be ensured at every stage, from financing to implementation,” he said.
Parvez said Bangladesh could share its adaptation experience while learning from the knowledge and technology of its partners. He called for conference discussions to lead to concrete commitments and practical action.
The conference is being held on October 7–8 at Pan Pacific Sonargaon in Dhaka. It is organised by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change with support from the Asian Development Bank.
