RAJSHAHI, April 25, 2024 (BSS) - Social watchdogs and development activists here today urged the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to extend its support towards promoting renewable energies in Bangladesh.

They also unequivocally called for ensuring a just and equitable transition by ensuring environmental and social safeguards, labor standards and transparency and accountability.

They put forward the issue while launching a demonstration campaign Titled "Protect People and Planet Over Profit" at Hotel Safe Garden in Rajshahi city.

The campaign aims to shine a spotlight on the deficiencies and shortcomings of the ADB's safeguard framework.

The campaign highlights the need for robust accountability mechanisms to ensure that the ADB and its project partners are held accountable for any adverse environmental or social impacts resulting from their activities.

Three environmental and social organizations, Paribartan, Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network (CLEAN) and Bangladesh Working Group on Ecology and Development (BWGED), along with civil society groups and citizens concerned launched the demonstration.

Paribartan Director Rashed Ibney Obayed, Program Officer Soma Hasan and Program Organizer Afsana Mimi addressed the demonstration launching meeting.

Rashed Obayed said the campaign represents a grassroots mobilization of communities, activists, and civil society organizations committed to promoting justice and sustainability in development.

He also mentioned that a truly progressive safeguards policy cannot exist if it ignores the challenges faced by human rights defenders, workers, and a private sector operating without transparency.

Rashed mentioned that the ADB's safeguard policy aims to help developing member countries address environmental and social risks in development projects and minimize and mitigate, if not avoid, adverse project impacts on people and the environment.