Photo : BSS

RAJSHAHI, March 12, 2025 (BSS) - Speakers at a participatory meeting here today viewed that the adverse impact of climate change has been posing a serious threat to the living and livelihood conditions of the marginalised communities in the region, particularly the vast Barind tract.

Climate change has been acknowledged as the main reason behind depletion of natural resources and as a major threat to the humanity in the region. The policy planners and others concerned should take immediate effective measures to address the adverse impacts of climate change.

On behalf of its 'Cultivating Change Project', Association for Community Development (ACD) organized the meeting titled "Local Consultation on Gaps in Climate Financing Modalities" at Godagari Upazila Parishad conference hall supported by Oxfam in Bangladesh.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer Faisal Ahmed addressed the meeting as a focal person expressing his grave concern over the climate change issue, while Subrata Kumar Paul from ACD moderated the discussion. 

Social Service Officer Abdul Manik, Youth Development Officer Sohel Rana, Secondary Education Officer Joinal Abedin, Women Affairs Officer Nilufar Yasmin and Agriculture Officer Momenul Islam also spoke on the occasion. 

The meeting puts emphasis on ensuring Bangladesh's rightful access to climate finance from national and international sources.

It has also stressed the need for transparency and accountability in utilizing these funds and urged all stakeholders to work collectively to achieve this goal.

Apart from this, the meeting stressed the importance of a transparent, accountable and participatory governance system for managing climate funds.

Otherwise, it would be challenging to fulfill the fund's core objectives and the potential for securing funds from national and international sources could be compromised.

Terming the women and children as the most vulnerable to climate change, the meeting unequivocally called for preservation of women's climate struggle records, active dialogue with policymakers and the formulation of gender-sensitive laws and policies.