Forging a Greener Future: British High Commissioner Sarah Cook Meets Environment Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan to Bolster Climate Cooperation

Dhaka, 6 March 2025: A high-level British delegation, led by Sarah Cook, High Commissioner of the United Kingdom to Bangladesh, met with Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Ministry of Water Resources, to strengthen bilateral cooperation in environmental conservation and climate resilience.

Held at the ministry’s office in Dhaka, on 6th March, the meeting underscored the shared commitment of both nations to tackling pressing environmental challenges, including climate change adaptation, groundwater depletion, pollution control, and river ecosystem restoration.

Rizwana Hasan emphasized the critical role of local communities in fostering sustainable solutions, particularly in mangrove restoration and addressing the rising salinity in coastal areas. She also highlighted the need for innovative strategies to curb illegal fishing and protect the livelihoods of traditional fishermen in the Sundarbans.

High Commissioner Sarah Cook reaffirmed the UK’s unwavering support for Bangladesh’s climate resilience efforts, citing key British initiatives in locally-led adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and climate finance. She also expressed the UK’s keen interest in forging new partnerships to bolster Bangladesh’s capacity to mitigate and adapt to climate-induced adversities.

The discussion also touched on the UK’s recent adjustments to its Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget, with Cook assuring that the UK remains committed to restoring the target when fiscal conditions allow. Despite these adjustments, she reiterated Britain’s determination to play a leading role in global climate action and to stand by Bangladesh in achieving its environmental goals.

During the meeting, the British High Commissioner extended a formal invitation to Syeda Rizwana Hasan to attend two prestigious events in London: a ministerial roundtable on “Tackling Water Security across the Climate-Nature-Development Nexus,” hosted by UK Minister for International Development, the Rt Hon. Annaliese Dodds MP, and the Water and Climate Reception at Buckingham Palace, hosted by His Majesty The King, on 13 March.

Both sides pledged to continue close collaboration on shared priorities, including climate finance, sustainable resource management, and international environmental forums. The discussions concluded with a renewed commitment to deepening the UK-Bangladesh partnership in climate action, ensuring a sustainable and resilient future for both nations.

Later in the day, a Chinese delegation led by Cheng Tingyu of China Heavy Machinery Company met Syeda Rizwana Hasan at the Bangladesh Secretariat. The delegation expressed interest in supporting Bangladesh’s environmental initiatives, offering assistance in introducing high-yield rubber varieties to enhance sustainability and economic growth.

Signed/-
Dipankar Bar
Public Relations Officer
Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change
WhatsApp: 01710929596