DHAKA, Apr 25, 2024 (BSS) - Environment, Forest and Climate Change Secretary Dr Farhina Ahmed today urged developed nations to fulfill their commitments by providing resources and technologies to the least developed countries (LDCs) to help them implement their climate actions.

She made the call while speaking as the chair at the concluding ceremony of the four-day National Adaptation Plan Expo 2024 at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) in Dhaka.

Advocating for collective actions to address climate challenge impacts and protect vulnerable communities, the environment secretary said National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Expo 2024 in Bangladesh showcased the country's resilience and leadership in climate adaptation.

She underscored the need for practical solutions at the grassroots level, especially in the LDCs, where accessing finance for NAP implementation remains challenging.

The NAP Expo provided a platform to assess progress, identify obstacles, and strategize a way forward, with Bangladesh offering to share its adaptation experiences, she said.

She proposed organising an event at COP29 to disseminate the outcomes of NAP Expo broadly.

Dr Farhina said the event discussed transformational adaptation through national plans, emphasising the need for a new approach to adaptation planning and securing finance from diverse sources.

"The expo served as a platform for sharing experiences, best practices, and fostering partnerships to enhance global adaptation efforts. Overall, the event underscored Bangladesh's role as a leader in adaptation planning and provided insights into effective strategies for addressing the impacts of climate change," she added.

Dr Paul Desanker, manager at the Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), lauded Bangladesh's resilience in dealing with climate change impacts.

Highlighting challenges like financial constraints in NAP implementation, he called for innovative financing and transboundary cooperation.

"Involvement of governmental and non-governmental stakeholders and local communities is deemed vital for making NAPs a success. Data, proactive measurement, and inclusivity are highlighted for effective adaptation strategies," he said.

Adao Soares Barbosa, vice-chair, Least Developed Countries Experts Group, also spoke at the closing session moderated by joint secretary of the ministry Lubna Yasmine.