National

Jun302025 by No Comments

Govt. aimed at tackling air pollution, with a strong focus on controlling dust pollution in Dhaka- Environment Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan

Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forests, Climate Change and Water Resources, has announced a series of proactive steps aimed at tackling air pollution, with a strong focus on controlling dust pollution in Dhaka ahead of winter.Speaking to journalists at the Bangladesh Secretariat following a productive meeting with a visiting team of Chinese air pollution experts, she outlined the government's comprehensive plan addressing immediate, mid-term, and long-term solutions under the Bangladesh Clean Air Project (BCAP).She said as part of short-term measures, all road repair works in Dhaka are targeted to be completed before winter. Surface covering, fencing, and water spraying systems will be implemented to control dust. Additional initiatives include using w...

Jun282025 by No Comments

JICA signs loan agreement for Construction of Dual Gauge Double Line Between Joydebpur-Ishwardi project with the Government of Bangladesh

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Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has signed a loan agreement for the construction of the Dual Gauge Double Line Between Joydebpur-Ishwardi project with the Government of Bangladesh.Under the loan agreement, JICA will provide a Japanese ODA (Official Development Assistance) loan of up to 92,077 million Japanese Yen (equivalent to Tk 7,694 crore) for the construction. The signing ceremony took place on 27 June 2025, at the Economic Relations Division, Sher-E-Bangla Nagar, Agargaon, Dhaka.Representing both parties, Ichiguchi Tomohide, Chief Representative of JICA Bangladesh Office, signed the loan agreement with Mr. Md. Shahriar Kader Siddiky, Secretary, Economic Relations Division.This loan agreement was signed for the first tranche of the construction loan. Previous...

Jun252025 by No Comments

Green Bangladesh’s Dream Companion: Bonayan’s Four-Decade Journey of Afforestation

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Bangladesh is currently facing the severe impacts of climate change. Natural disasters like cyclones, floods, heatwaves, and desertification have become increasingly frequent. In such a scenario, tree plantation initiatives hold immense significance in protecting the environment and mitigating the adverse effects of climate change. For the past 45 years, Bonayan—one of the largest afforestation programs in the private sector of Bangladesh—has been tirelessly contributing to this cause. Launched in 1980, Bonayan has played a crucial role in preserving environmental integrity and biodiversity while combating the consequences of climate change. To date, the initiative has distributed over 130 million fruit-bearing, forest, and medicinal plant saplings free of cost. Additionally, 119 medicina...

Jun172025 by No Comments

Chief Adviser seeks UN support over probe into incidents of enforced disappearances

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Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus said Bangladesh would welcome any support from the United Nations in its investigations into the incidents of enforced disappearance in the past one and a half decades.“I wish the United Nations were associated with our ongoing enquiry into the incidents of enforced disappearance. It will give the process some strength,” said Professor Yunus.The Chief Adviser made the comments on June 16, 2025 when the United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances (WGEID) Vice-Chairperson Grazyna Baranowska and member Ana Lorena Delgadillo Perez called on him at the State Guest House Jamuna.The UN officials lauded the initiatives of Bangladesh’s Interim Government in addressing the issue of enforced disappearances, particularly the...

Jun112025 by No Comments

UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade Meets Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus

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LONDON, June 11, 2025 — The UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade and President of the Board of Trade, Jonathan Reynolds, met with Bangladesh's Chief Adviser, Professor Muhammad Yunus, at the British Parliament on Wednesday.The meeting focused on enhancing bilateral trade relations and fostering investment opportunities between the two friendly nations.Discussions encompassed mutual interests, including strategies to boost trade and attract increased British investment in Bangladesh.Reynolds reaffirmed the UK's support for Bangladesh's interim government's initiatives to recover misappropriated funds siphoned off to various countries.Professor Yunus highlighted the interim government's efforts in economic recovery, particularly reforms in the banking sector, ...

Jun112025 by No Comments

Purbachal’s Reserved Forest Boundaries to Be Demarcated Expeditiously

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Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor to the Ministry of Water Resources and the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, stated that the boundaries of the Forest Department's reserved forest in Purbachal will be demarcated expeditiously. She said, "There is a relatively vibrant forest here in Purbachal. Now, the demarcation of this forest's boundaries is urgent and will be done quickly."Advisor Rizwana Hasan made these remarks today (Tuesday) in response to journalists' questions during her inspection of the Forest Department's reserved forest in Purbachal, Dhaka. She added, "This could be a forest that Dhaka residents feel is close to them, and they will come to see it."The Water Resources and Environment Advisor further stated, due to misguided afforestation policies, our urb...

Jun12025 by No Comments

Environmental awareness is essential for all 18 crore citizens – Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan

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Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Ministry of Water Resources, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, has emphasized that every citizen of Bangladesh must become environmentally conscious. “Roads, flyovers, and electricity cannot be considered the only basic needs of life. If the air and water are polluted, electricity alone cannot ensure well-being. What will you do with electricity if the air you breathe causes lung cancer? What good are roads if we don’t have enough trees to purify the air?” she said.She made these remarks as the chief guest at a discussion titled “Reforms in Environmental Governance: Current Context and Future Challenges” held Sunday at the Department of Environment auditorium in Agargaon, Dhaka, in observance of World Environment Day.The ...

May312025 by No Comments

JICA, Bangladesh sign agreements for economic reforms, climate change resilience and talent

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To advance economic reforms, strengthen climate change resilience efforts as well as promote educational opportunities for government officials, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Government of Bangladesh signed two major agreements in Tokyo, Japan, on May 30, 2025.Dr. Tanaka Akihiko, President of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and H.E. Md. Daud Ali, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh signed the Loan Agreement (L/A) on the Development Policy Loan for Economic Reform and Strengthening Climate Change Resilience and Grant Agreement (G/A) on the JDS Scholarship for 2025. The ceremony was witnessed by Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Adviser of the Interim Government of Bangladesh, who is o...

May192025 by No Comments

We must develop the habit of using cloth and jute bags as alternatives to polythene — Environment Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan

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Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Ministry of Water Resources, has said that plastic use must be limited at every level of our lives. In particular, single-use polythene bags must be completely eliminated. She emphasized the importance of cultivating the habit of using cloth and jute bags instead of polythene.She made these remarks on Monday morning, 19 May, while exchanging views with environmental organizations and students at the Rajshahi Circuit House.Highlighting the severe environmental damage caused by plastic and polythene shopping bags, the Advisor noted that the government has already undertaken various initiatives to encourage the public to adopt eco-friendly alternatives. She added that public involvement, alo...

May122025 by No Comments

Chief Adviser Calls for Regional Economic Integration and Hydro Power Collaboration with Nepal

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Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has called for an integrated economic strategy between Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and the Seven North Eastern States of India, emphasising the potential of cross-border collaboration in hydropower, healthcare, and road connectivity.The Chief Adviser made these remarks on Monday during a courtesy call paid by Ms. Indira Rana, Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives of the Federal Parliament of Nepal who is currently visiting Bangladesh for attending an event organized by the Embassy of Nepal in Dhaka.Professor Yunus stressed the urgency of fostering regional cooperation through shared infrastructure and energy initiatives. “There should be an integrated economic plan for Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and the Seven Sisters,” he said, referrin...