BRAC Bank and the Economic Relations Division trained bankers, officials and experts to strengthen climate finance capacity, promote green investment and build bankable climate-resilient projects across Bangladesh.
BRAC Bank and Bangladesh’s Economic Relations Division (ERD) under the Ministry of Finance have jointly conducted a three-day climate finance training programme aimed at strengthening public-private sector cooperation and boosting investment in climate-resilient development.
The programme, titled “Upskilling Multisectoral Professionals as Climate Investment Catalysts: Navigating Climate Science, Policies and Finance”, brought together participants from 10 banks, six government ministries, civil society organisations and academic institutions.
Designed to enhance knowledge and practical expertise in climate finance, the initiative focused on equipping professionals with the skills needed to develop and finance climate-resilient projects across sectors.
Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky, Secretary of the Economic Relations Division under the Ministry of Finance, inaugurated the programme as chief guest at the Planning Commission in Agargaon, Dhaka, on June 14.
Among those attending the opening session were Nurun Nahar, Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank; Tareq Refat Ullah Khan, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of BRAC Bank; and AKM Sohel, Additional Secretary of the Economic Relations Division.
Speakers at the inauguration stressed that achieving Bangladesh’s climate goals would require stronger partnerships among government agencies, regulators, financial institutions, development partners and the private sector.
They noted that mobilising climate finance depends not only on supportive policies but also on strengthening institutional capacity and creating a pipeline of bankable, investment-ready projects.
Addressing the event, Tareq Refat Ullah Khan said climate resilience demanded more than financial resources.
“Climate resilience requires more than capital; it requires professionals who can transform climate priorities into bankable investment opportunities. Strong collaboration between the public and private sectors will be essential to mobilise the scale of financing needed for a sustainable future,” he said.
He added that sustainability remains a core element of BRAC Bank’s business strategy, noting that green finance accounted for 9% of the bank’s portfolio while sustainable finance represented 83% in 2025.
The training programme covered a wide range of topics, including climate science, national and international policy frameworks and climate finance mechanisms such as the Green Climate Fund and the Adaptation Fund. Participants also explored practical approaches to structuring and financing climate-related projects.
The programme concluded on June 16 with a closing session attended by AKM Sohel and Ahmed Rashid Joy, Additional Managing Director and Chief Risk Officer of BRAC Bank.
Discussions during the final session centred on strengthening the policy environment, expanding climate-focused financial instruments and creating stronger incentives to attract private investment into green and climate-resilient infrastructure.
BRAC Bank said the initiative reflected a shared commitment between the Government of Bangladesh and the bank to accelerate climate finance through enhanced institutional cooperation, professional capacity-building and innovative financing solutions that support the country’s long-term sustainable development objectives.
