Stressing the critical requirement of $9 billion for such efforts, the minister highlighted the government’s allocation of $3.5 billion for infrastructure development, disaster management, and education, as stated in a press release.
During a significant meeting at the Bangladesh Secretariat, Minister Chowdhury reiterated the government’s call for assistance from international development partners for Bangladeshi projects. The meeting, attended by a delegation led by ADB Vice President Fatima Yasmin and ADB’s country director in Bangladesh, Edimon Ginting, addressed a range of challenges and opportunities.
Recognizing the private sector’s hesitancy to invest in adaptation, Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury emphasized the importance of monetizing adaptation efforts and prioritizing locally driven initiatives. He also emphasized the need to tackle transboundary air pollution, which contributes to 30% of air pollution in Bangladesh, reaffirming Bangladesh’s commitment to global research endeavors.
In response, ADB Vice President Fatima Yasmin reaffirmed ADB’s unwavering commitment to supporting Bangladesh in implementing crucial initiatives such as the Delta Plan, Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan, and National Adaptation Plan. She underscored ADB’s strong partnership with Bangladesh and its focus on implementing transformative projects with an increased emphasis on climate change resilience. ADB has pledged $2 billion out of a total allocation of $9.8 billion specifically for Bangladesh, highlighting its profound commitment to the nation’s sustainable development goals.
