DHAKA, July 03 (V7N) – Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, today announced ambitious proposals to transform Bangladesh's forest resource centers into dynamic "nature learning hubs." This initiative is designed to foster greater engagement of urban youth with biodiversity and cultivate environmental awareness. The announcement was made during a significant meeting with a high-level delegation from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), led by Executive Senior Vice President Miyazaki Katsura, at the secretariat in Dhaka.

Rizwana Hasan, who also holds the advisory role for the Ministry of Water Resources, sought JICA's assistance in modernizing the Bangladesh Forest Industries Development Corporation (BFIDC). The goal is to enhance BFIDC's capacity for eco-friendly furniture production, with a particular emphasis on utilizing sustainable materials like bamboo, and to facilitate its expansion into new markets. This aligns with her recent push for increased use of eco-friendly bamboo furniture to reduce pressure on timber resources.

The meeting, which underscored the strong bilateral partnership between Bangladesh and Japan, focused on deepening collaboration across critical areas including climate change adaptation, biodiversity conservation, forest management, and sustainable development.

Hasan highlighted Bangladesh's ongoing drive towards renewable energy, specifically emphasizing the "solarization" of public buildings. She referenced past judicial mandates, including a recent High Court order in June 2025 requiring rooftop solar panels on all residential and commercial buildings in Dhaka, as well as an earlier directive from the Chief Adviser for solar panel installation on government buildings. These efforts are part of a national program to reduce reliance on costly fossil fuel imports.


She also raised concerns regarding the significant environmental and human costs associated with Bangladesh's ship-breaking industry, urging Japan to ensure transparency and accountability in any future cooperation related to this sector. The industry is known for its hazardous working conditions and environmental pollution.

Expressing gratitude for Japan's consistent support, Rizwana Hasan lauded JICA's impressive track record, citing its early project completion, budget efficiency, and the public trust it commands. She specifically highlighted Japan's proficient handling of the second phase of the Matarbari project, a large-scale energy and port development initiative that is a cornerstone of Bangladesh's economic future.

In response, Miyazaki Katsura commended Bangladesh's independent development efforts and reaffirmed JICA's commitment to global goals of "Zero Poverty" and "Zero Unemployment," as well as the objectives of the Paris Agreement on climate change. She cited JICA's past contributions, including the "Clean Dhaka initiative," which has significantly improved waste management in the capital over the years through technical cooperation projects focused on solid waste and air pollution management. Katsura then outlined four key areas where JICA is prepared to offer further climate adaptation support: data-driven planning, knowledge-sharing, energy transition, and private-sector financing.

The discussions also encompassed Bangladesh's Climate Change Trust Fund (BCCTF), a government trust established in 2010 to finance climate change mitigation and adaptation projects. Additionally, the newly established Bangladesh Climate Development Partnership platform, launched in January 2025 and supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), was discussed as a mechanism to streamline international finance for climate initiatives. Rizwana Hasan concluded by proposing the establishment of a dedicated wildlife conservation trust, inviting Japanese collaboration in this important endeavor.

The meeting saw the attendance of key officials from both sides, including Dr. Farhina Ahmed, Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; Additional Secretaries Mohammad Navid Shafiullah and Md Khayrul Hasan; Chief Conservator of Forest Md Amir Hossain Chowdhury; and JICA officials Yamada Tetsuya, Ichiguchi Tomohide, and Miura Mari, underscoring the high-level commitment to deepening the partnership between Bangladesh and Japan on environmental and sustainable development fronts.

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