Dr Farhina Ahmed, Secretary of the Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, has urged the global community to take decisive, coordinated, and adequately funded action to address the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
She emphasised the importance of predictable financing, pointing out that climate-vulnerable countries cannot meet these challenges without adequate resources and access to technology.
The environment secretary made the remarks while delivering Bangladesh's National Statement at the 7th Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7), which took place yesterday in Nairobi, Kenya.
Ziaul Haque, Additional Director General of the Department of Environment, also attended the plenary as part of the Bangladesh delegation, according to a message received here on Friday.
The environment secretary emphasised the financial strain on developing countries, saying, "In the absence of support, governments are forced to divert scarce funds from health, education, and social protection to disaster response, jeopardising the future of generations to come."
She urged the UNEA-7 to facilitate the mobilisation of resources through multilateral environmental agreements in a coherent and synergistic manner.
Dr Farhina emphasised the importance of international solidarity and compassion in addressing the global environmental emergency.
"Climate change is a daily reality for Bangladesh," she said, pointing out that extreme heat, cyclones, floods, sea-level rise, and riverbank erosion continue to displace millions and degrade critical ecosystems.
Despite contributing less than 0.5% of global emissions, Bangladesh continues to show leadership.
She highlighted the country's enhanced NDC 3.0, which was submitted within the global deadline and aims to generate 25% of electricity from renewable sources by 2035, five times the current level.
Bangladesh is also working to accelerate the implementation of its National Adaptation Plan (NAP 2023) and expand locally led adaptation efforts in vulnerable regions.
Concerning biodiversity loss, Dr Farhina described the enormous strain on natural resources in a 180 million-person country.
She discussed Bangladesh's ongoing implementation of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (2026-30), the National Conservation Strategy, the Ramsar Strategic Plan (2026-30), Land Degradation Neutrality targets for 2030, and other national policies on the environment, forests, and biosafety.
Regarding pollution, she emphasised Bangladesh's pioneering role as the first country to ban thin plastic bags.
"Ambition works when it is supported by strong policy and public commitment," she explained.
Bangladesh has since implemented separate regulations for solid waste, e-waste, medical waste, hazardous waste, and shipbreaking waste management.
The country has finalised the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) directives on plastic waste, which restrict the production, import, and use of certain single-use plastics. The Comprehensive Chemical Waste Management Rules have also been drafted.
Dr Farhina urged the UNEA-7 to take an integrated lifecycle approach to chemicals and plastics, prioritising prevention, safer alternatives, and circularity while protecting informal workers.
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