At a high-level side event at the Bangladesh Pavilion in Belém, government leaders, scientists, youth delegates and international partners called for scaling up inclusive, locally-led Nature-Based Solutions and ecosystem-based adaptation to safeguard Ecologically Critical Areas. Panelists stressed that combining science, indigenous knowledge and predictable climate finance is essential to protect biodiversity, strengthen community resilience and advance Bangladesh’s national adaptation goals.
Speakers at a COP30 side event at the Bangladesh Pavilion have urged governments and partners to scale up inclusive, ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) and locally-led Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) to safeguard the country’s Ecologically Critical Areas (ECAs).
At the event, hosted by CARE Bangladesh with knowledge partners C3ER and BRAC University, panelists warned that Bangladesh’s most vulnerable, nature-dependent communities cannot build resilience without predictable finance, stronger partnerships and integration of science with indigenous knowledge.
“We must scale inclusive ecosystem-based adaptation across sectors,” said Farida Akhter, Adviser at the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock. “Collaboration between communities, government and partners is the only way to protect our most critical ecosystems.”
The session showcased adaptation efforts in the Sundarbans and Hakaluki Haor under the NABAPALLAB project, funded by the UK Government’s Bangladesh Climate and Environment Programme (BCEP). “Communities can lead adaptation when equipped with the right tools,” said Mrityunjoy Das, Deputy Chief of Party, NABAPALLAB.
Dr M. Mokhlesur Rahman of CNRS said effective adaptation requires “science and local knowledge together,” while A.K.M. Sohel of the Ministry of Finance stressed that “funding must be predictable and fair so communities can build long-term resilience.” WWF’s Cristianne Close added that biodiversity protection and climate adaptation “go hand in hand — one cannot succeed without the other.”
Special guests Debbie Palmer of the UK’s FCDO and Mohammad Navid Safiullah of the Ministry of Environment reaffirmed long-term partnerships aligned with Bangladesh’s National Adaptation Plan and biodiversity goals.
Youth delegate Sohanur Rahman of YouthNet Global called for climate and nature finance to be guided by justice. “Wetlands are climate-critical infrastructure for Bangladesh,” he said. “Without dedicated finance for their protection, we risk losing vital ecological buffers and the chance to lead globally on nature-based climate solutions.”
Closing the session, CARE Bangladesh Country Director Ram Das said: “Protecting nature and strengthening community resilience must go hand in hand. Every local action contributes to global climate solutions.”
