Youth and labor leaders in Bangladesh have called for a just and inclusive climate transition that puts workers and youth at the center, ahead of the UN Climate Summit, COP30, in Belém, Brazil.
The call came during a national dialogue under the Academy of Work (AoW) 2.0, jointly organized by Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Bangladesh and YouthNet Global in Dhaka recently.
Participants stressed the need for a national just transition policy framework to ensure Bangladesh’s shift to a low-carbon economy is fair, sustainable, and inclusive. They highlighted that job security, skill development, social protection and active participation of youth, workers, and vulnerable communities are critical for a successful transition.
Delivering the keynote, Sohanur Rahman, Executive Coordinator of YouthNet Global, said youth and workers are not just beneficiaries of climate action.
“They are key agents of change. Just transition to a sustainable future must put workers and youth first,” he said. Sohanur added that the proposed Belém Action Mechanism can ensure people’s needs come first and that concrete action reaches communities on the ground.
A workers’ panel included MA Salam, General Secretary of Garments Labour Alliance Bangladesh; Tahmina Rahman, General Secretary of Bangladesh Apparels Workers Federation; and MD Nasir Uddin, Youth Secretary at the Central Committee of Bangladesh National Labour Employees Council.
Panel moderator Arifa As Alam, Programme Advisor at FES Bangladesh, said transitioning to a sustainable future must be rooted in social justice and inclusion.
“Trade unions and youth leaders need to work together to assess sector-specific impacts, provide reskilling opportunities, and create climate-resilient jobs,” she said.
Tahmina Rahman emphasized that workers must be at the heart of climate action. “Without protecting jobs and ensuring fair wages, a just transition cannot succeed,” she said.
She added that strengthening these networks will give workers a strong voice in policymaking and ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
A youth panel featured Farzana Faruk Jhumu, Bangladeshi COP30 youth delegate and UN Youth Advisory Group member; Shah Rafayat Chowdhury, co-founder of Footsteps; Imran Rabby, ICCCAD Youth Fellow and founder of Greenman; and Md Rehanuz Zaman, COP30 youth delegate.
They discussed collaboration between youth and labor movements to build climate-resilient and inclusive development pathways. They also called for meaningful youth participation and investment in youth-led initiatives.
During the session, Sohanur Rahman introduced Y-Just: Building Sustainable and Equitable Futures in Bangladesh, a youth-led initiative connecting youth, workers, civil society, and policymakers to promote equitable climate action, gender justice, and resilient livelihoods.
The event was attended by Faiza Farah Tuba, Programme Manager of Laudes Foundation, and Naureen Chowdhury, Head of its Labour Rights Programme.
Through integrated discussions, young climate justice groups and trade union leaders drafted key priorities for COP30 and a joint action plan, aiming to strengthen collaboration and ensure youth and workers are actively represented in climate decision-making.
Bangladesh has already incorporated just transition principles into its updated NDC 3.0, becoming the first Asian country to dedicate a full chapter to the concept. This underscores the country’s leadership in linking climate ambition with social justice, decent work, and sustainable enterprise.
