Bangladesh wants to serve as bridge for cooperation between Asean and Saarc: PM’s special assistant 

Bangladesh wants to serve as a bridge for cooperation between Asean and Saarc countries in tackling climate change and protecting the environment, said Saimum Parvez, special assistant to the prime minister on environment, forests and climate affairs.

Speaking as a special guest at the opening ceremony of the Regional Conference of Youth (RCOY) held at Brac University today (3 October), Saimum said Bangladesh can play a leading role in environmental protection through regional cooperation, active youth participation and collective initiatives.

Describing climate change as a present crisis, he said people are already experiencing its impacts in their daily lives, including rising sea levels, cyclones, increasing salinity in coastal areas and rising temperatures.

Saimum added that countries in the region, which share rivers, mountain ranges and coastal ecosystems, need joint solutions to address these challenges.

Highlighting the need for youth-led innovation in climate-resilient agriculture, waste management and disaster preparedness, he said investment in young people is an investment in building a climate-resilient future.

Young people are not only the leaders of tomorrow; they are leaders of today, he said.

Saimum urged young people to go beyond raising demands on climate issues and take practical action while developing new solutions.

He also called on youths to undertake initiatives on their campuses and in their cities and countries, while constructively scrutinising policymakers and holding them accountable.

More than 300 young people, including over 100 international participants, took part in the conference.