National

Oct292024 by No Comments

USAID, PVH and CARE Partnerto Create Sustainable Future for Women in the Ready-made Garment Sector

USAID’sWomen Thrive in Bangladesh project convened a roundtableon “Building a Sustainable Future for Women in the Ready-made Garment Sector” at the Hotel Radisson Blu Dhaka on October 28, 2024. The discussion highlighted the importance of creating a supportive work environment for women workers in the ready-made garment sector by providing more resources and assistance to sustain their employment.Dr. Khondaker Golam Moazzem, Research Director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue, delivered the keynote speech at the event.Women have historically made up most of the workforce in Bangladesh’s garment sector, which contributes to 80% of export earnings to the country’s economy. Over the last four decades, this sector has created significant employment opportunities for women, helping drive so...

Oct292024 by No Comments

Environment Advisor Emphasizes Urgent Climate Actions at EU’s COP29 Reception in Dhaka

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Environment, Forest and Climate Change Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan, emphasized the pressing need for global unity in addressing climate change. She urged all developed countries to follow through on their commitments to climate finance and technological support for nations at the forefront of climate vulnerability. It’s time that developed nations uphold their commitments to support the most affected countries.Environment Advisor said this 28 October evening while speaking as the Chief guest at the COP29 reception hosted by the European Union in Gulshan, Dhaka. The European Union's COP29 reception aimed to foster collaboration between nations and stakeholders ahead of the COP29 conference.Advisor Rizwana highlighted the disproportionate climate challenges faced by vulnerable nation...

Oct272024 by No Comments

Strict Monitoring and enforcement on polythene Shopping Bags Begins November 1

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Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, has announced that strict monitoring to end the use of polythene shopping bags will commence from November 1. Additionally, actions will be taken against polythene shopping bag manufacturers. She clarified that only plastic shopping bags are being targeted, and legal actions will be enforced against any supermarket providing them.The announcement came during a special meeting held at the Ministry of Textiles and Jute in Bangladesh Secretariat, where the advisor was the chief guest. The meeting discussed the implementation of the 2010 Mandatory Jute Packaging Act and encouraged the public to use jute bags as an alternative to plastic.Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan emphasized that if people stop usin...

Oct262024 by No Comments

WaterAid-SNV consortium launches new project “WASH Systems for Health”

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WaterAid organised an inception workshop of “WASH Systems of Health” project at Pan Pacific Sonargaon on Saturday, 26 October 2024. The workshop was graced by Chief Engineer, Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE), Engineer Tushar Mohon Shadhu Khan as the chief guest. Special guests included Dr Md Khairul Islam, Regional Director- South Asia, WaterAid, Ms Hasin Jahan, Country Director, WaterAid Bangladesh, Mr Rashid Zaman, Health Portfolio Lead, British High Commission (BHC) Dhaka, Mr Swe Min Zaw, Deputy Secretary, Policy Support Branch, Dr Mohammad Mahbubur Rahman, Director General (In-Charge), Bangladesh National Nutrition Council Office, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and Dr Md Zainal Abedin Tito, Line Director, Hospital Services Management, Directorate General of Healt...

Oct262024 by No Comments

Fossil Fuel Use Must Be Reduced to Combat Climate Change: Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan

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Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, stated that fossil fuel use is one of the main drivers of climate change. She emphasized the need to reduce its use, adapt development models, and work collectively to control pollution.She delivered these remarks in a video message on Saturday at the Press Institute of Bangladesh (PIB) seminar room during the mentoring program titled "Journalism in the Age of Energy Transition: COP29 Coverage Strategies and Mentoring." The program aimed to enhance the skills of journalists in print, electronic, and online media in preparation for coverage of the upcoming COP29.Rizwana Hasan further stated the importance of effectively covering climate conferences and using knowledge from training to support at...

Oct262024 by No Comments

Demand to Strengthen Tobacco Control Law to Protect 48% of the Youth in Bangladesh

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Nearly 48% of Bangladesh’s total population consists of youth, a significant demographic that faces the lethal threat posed by tobacco. To safeguard this segment, young people have called for strengthening the tobacco control law and raising taxes and prices on tobacco products.This demand was raised during a discussion with youth held on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at the Dhaka Ahsania Mission office in Dhanmondi, Dhaka. The meeting was presided over by Iqbal Masud, Director of Health and WASH Sector of Dhaka Ahsania Mission, with Md. Akhteruzzaman, Director General (Joint Secretary) of the National Tobacco Control Cell (NTCC), as the guest speaker.Md. Akhtaruzzaman highlighted that the youth have a vital role to play in creating a tobacco-free Bangladesh. He urged them to activel...

Oct242024 by No Comments

Launch of CITES Digital Certification Website and Dolphin Survey Results announced

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Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, emphasized the need for forest officials to work with courage and speed in protecting forests. She advised officials to report any issues to their superiors and assured them that her door is always open for support. She also mentioned plans to introduce risk allowances for forest officials. The Advisor highlighted that planting native tree species is the primary responsibility of the Forest Department and urged forest guards to take timely action against illegal logging.Environment Advisor made these remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a special discussion held at the Forest Department on the occasion of International Freshwater Dolphin Day 2024.The Advisor further noted that the prese...

Oct232024 by No Comments

EU Ambassador Meets Environment Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan

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Syeda Rizwana Hasan, the Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forests, Climate Change, and Water Resources, noted that the EU will back the ongoing reforms of the interim government. She highlighted that the EU will support Bangladesh in expanding renewable energy facilities and offer cooperation in specific areas of expertise. Additionally, the EU will prioritize financing key climate actions.Environment Advisor said this while Michael Miller, the European Union Ambassador to Bangladesh, paid a courtesy call on her at her office in the Bangladesh Secretariat today. During the meeting, they discussed pressing environmental concerns, climate change mitigation, and ways to strengthen Bangladesh-EU cooperation on sustainable development initiatives.The European Union has been a key...

Oct222024 by No Comments

Dutch Ambassador Meets with Environment Advisor to discuss Environmental and Water Management Cooperation.

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Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and Water Resources said the government is determined to lead by example in controlling air, noise, plastic, and river pollution. Our efforts are focused on ensuring a cleaner and healthier environment for the people of Bangladesh, she stated. The advisor also mentioned the government's ongoing enforcement of the polythene shopping bag ban, adding that management plans may be updated as needed to adapt to emerging challenges.Environment Advisor said this while Irma van Dueren, the Ambassador of the Netherlands to Bangladesh, paid a courtesy visit to her, at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Tuesday, 22 October 2024.The meeting focused on strengthening collaboration between Bangladesh and the Netherl...

Oct212024 by No Comments

Meetings Held Between Environment Advisor and Diplomats from Azerbaijan and Australia:

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Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor of the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change and Ministry of Water Resources, has emphasized Bangladesh's active participation in COP29, ensuring that climate-vulnerable nations are at the forefront of global climate action. Bangladesh looks forward to contributing to meaningful discussions at COP29, where global cooperation in addressing climate challenges, especially for countries like ours, is highly necessary, she said.Environment Advisor said this while Elchin Huseynli, the Ambassador of Azerbaijan, the host country of the upcoming COP29 summit, paid a courtesy visit to her at her office in the Bangladesh Secretariat on Monday.Earlier in the day, Nardia Simpson, the Acting High Commissioner of Australia to Bangladesh also met with th...