DHAKA, Oct 18, 2023 (BSS) - Global climate experts underscored need for undertaking sustainable plans for the Jamuna-Brahmaputra river basin to deal with the adverse impacts of climate change and reduce disaster risk.

They also called for long-term cooperation and initiatives between government and non-government organizations to improve the living standard of the people live at chars (shoals) in northern region and in the river basins of the country. 

The expert made the call at a roundtable discussion titled 'Challenges, Innovations and Action Plans' organised by FRIENDSHIP, a social purpose nongovernmental organization in the city, said a press release here today. 

Secretary of the Water Resources Ministry Nazmul Ahsan addressed the discussion as the chief guest virtually. 

Speaking on the occasion, noted hydrologist and BRAC University Emeritus Professor Dr Ainun Nishat drew the attention of local and foreign development cooperation organizations to improve the living standard of char people, attaching importance to the socio-economic conditions, ecology and health aspects.

FRIENDSHIP founder Runa Khan highlighted the lives, livelihoods, socio-economic conditions, adversities and geo-logistical limitations of char communities in the remote northern regions of Bangladesh.

Marc Elvinger, chair of FRIENDSHIP Luxembourg and Co-Chair of FRIENDSHIP International, Kazi Amdadul Haque, senior director of FRIENDSHIP, Eric Orsenna, chairman of Initiatives for the Future of Great Rivers (IFGR), water and river experts from various European countries, Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) and experts from different organizations took part in the discussion.