Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed today spoke at as the chief guest at the inaugural session of a three-day training workshop on “Navigating Climate Finance: Media Reporting” in Dhaka. Photo : BSS

DHAKA, Sept 8, 2025 (BSS) – Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed today said that effective solutions to climate change are not possible without coordinated efforts by the scientists, policymakers, institutions, financiers, and the people.

“Unless these five parties unite, it won’t be possible to address the climate crisis,” he said.

The Finance Adviser made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural session of a three-day training workshop on “Navigating Climate Finance: Media Reporting”, jointly organized by the Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) and the Economic Relations Division (ERD) in the capital today.

The event was chaired by PKSF Chairman Zakir Ahmed Khan, with Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam and ERD Secretary Md. Shahriar Kader Siddiky attending as special guests.

Lauding the resilience of ordinary Bangladeshis in facing climate impacts, the Finance Adviser said, “Bangladesh is one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world. People in the coastal areas struggle day and night to survive. We must utilize their experience and coping capacity.”

He said although there are international commitments for climate finance, but those are insufficient. “At present, Bangladesh needs about $30 billion. But, even to secure a small loan from the IMF, it takes years. Therefore, we must strengthen our own capacity,” he added.

Emphasizing the role of the journalists, Dr Salehuddin Ahmed said, “Journalists shouldn’t only report on political or social issues but also highlight the realities of climate change and natural disasters. Through investigative journalism, it’s also your responsibility to raise public awareness.”

He further said that in Japan, schoolchildren receive disaster preparedness training from the primary level. “We too should introduce small initiatives such as keeping an emergency bag in every household,” he added.

The Finance Adviser also said development cannot be achieved by harming nature. “Before grabbing land or constructing infrastructures in the name of social development, we must think of nature and people’s livelihoods. Only then Bangladesh will earn global respect.”