A two-day long climate fair has begun in Sylhet eastern-Bangladesh on Wednesday with the aim of raising public awareness about climate change and promoting adaptive strategies to cope with its impacts. The event, held at the city’s Central Shaheed Minar premises.
Jointly organised by Islamic Relief Bangladesh and YouthNet Global, with the support of Sylhet City Corporation (SCC), the fair showcases initiatives from various governmental and non-governmental organisations focused on climate resilience, disaster preparedness, and innovative adaptation technologies.
The initiative comes at a critical time, as Bangladesh continues to face severe threats from climate change, including rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and an increased frequency of natural disasters.
Padmashon Singh, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development and Human Resource Management), attended the opening ceremony as the chief guest. The event was presided over by Md. Anwar Hossain, Deputy Programme Manager of the Climate Change, Adaptation, and Disaster Risk Reduction Programme at Islamic Relief Bangladesh.
In his keynote presentation, Professor Dr Md. Sharaf Uddin from Sylhet Agricultural University emphasised the urgency of adaptive responses to climate change, particularly in vulnerable regions like Sylhet. Other notable speakers included District Livestock Officer Md. Mizanur Rahman Mia and Additional Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension, Md. Anichuzzaman.
Welcoming attendees, Nazmun Nahid, Capacity Development Coordinator at YouthNet Global, said, “This fair is an opportunity to engage communities, share knowledge, and inspire practical action to build resilience in the face of climate challenges.”
The fair features 15 stalls presenting climate-resilient agricultural practices, sanitation systems, disaster mitigation tools, and adaptation-focused technologies. After the inauguration, guests toured the stalls, interacted with exhibitors, and learned about local and regional adaptation strategies.
Organisers stated that the fair, which concludes on Thursday, is attracting a wide range of participants, including students, environmental activists, and community members.
