DHAKA, Dec 11, 2025 (BSS) - With the country's forthcoming Climate Finance Strategy in process, a high-level consultation was held on Wednesday in Dhaka, organized by the Finance Division of the Ministry of Finance, in partnership with UNDP and with support from Agence Francaise de Developpement (AFD). 

Attended by the government officials, development partners, and international financing institutions, the consultation aimed at strengthening how climate resources are mobilized and managed amid growing environmental pressures.

The workshop, held under the Inclusive Budgeting and Financing for Climate Resilience (IBFCR) project, comes at a time when climate impacts are accelerating, said an UNDP press release today.

Although Bangladesh contributes less than 0.56 percent of global emissions, it remains among the most climate-exposed countries. Current estimates place its annual climate financing needs at US$26.12 billion, or about 5.8 percent of GDP.

Chief Guest Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, highlighted, "We must think differently-build real capacity, simplify financing beyond slow tenders, and equip ministries and NGOs through clear working groups so climate finance becomes truly outcome-oriented."

Chairing the workshop, Md. Hasanul Matin, Additional Secretary & Super-Wing Chief, Finance Division emphasized, "Climate change is no longer a future threat-it is a present reality for Bangladesh. Our resilience to climate impacts depends not only on strong environmental policies but also on a robust fiscal system capable of mobilizing, managing, and monitoring climate finance."

AKM Sohel, Additional Secretary and UN Wing Chief, Economic Relations Division, Ministry of Finance noted, "Bangladesh is not in a position to take on more loans. Our Climate Finance Strategy is a clear statement that we must rethink how we finance climate action-prioritizing equity-based and guaranteed funding over additional debt."

Cecilia Cortese, AFD's Deputy Country Director added, "Closing the gaps means making climate finance flow faster to local governments and communities. With the right sovereign tools and a clear social strategy, we can build a system that truly serves people on the frontlines."

Nayoka Martinez Backstrom, First Secretary (Environment and Climate Change) & Deputy Head of Cooperation at the Embassy of Sweden, noted, "Through Sweden's support in co-chairing the Local Consultative Group on Environment and Climate, we are helping Bangladesh redefine how climate finance is prioritised-shifting from fragmented, sectoral decisions to a coordinated, inter-ministerial approach that ensures funds reach the projects that matter most for climate adaptation and mitigation."

Md. Nazrul Islam, Joint Secretary, Finance Division, Ministry of Finance, Dr. Maliha Muzammil, Programme Specialist - Climate Change and Sustainable Finance, UNDP, Andreas Biermann, International Expert, IBFCR II, UNDP and Owais Parray, Country Economic Advisor, UNDP were among many who spoke at the event.

The event featured technical discussions on public and private financing opportunities, sector-specific needs, and collaborative pathways that will inform the drafting of a national strategy aligned with global best practices.

The workshop's outcomes will shape the next phase of strategy development and help strengthen the country's long-term climate and development planning.