DHAKA, May 04 (V7N) - Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan emphasized today the importance of considering the opinions of local people during the implementation of the National Adaptation Plan (NAP).

She also highlighted the need to prioritize water resource management, disaster preparedness, and the conservation of forests and wildlife in NAP implementation.

"The plan should not remain a mere technical or administrative document but it must incorporate the perspectives of local communities," Rizwana stated at a meeting held at Pani Bhaban in the Panthapath area of Dhaka.

The meeting centered on the Locally Led Adaptation Framework (LLAF) and programmatic approaches to NAP implementation, with representatives from the Ministry of Environment, the Center for Environmental and Geographic Information Services (CEGIS), and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in attendance.

The environment adviser underscored that Locally Led Adaptation (LLA) is an effective strategy for addressing the impacts of climate change. She asserted that by valuing local realities, needs, and capacities, sustainable adaptation can be ensured.

Participants at the meeting stressed the importance of developing a coordinated and inclusive action plan for the implementation of both the LLAF and the NAP. They also affirmed their commitment to future collaboration.

Among those present at the meeting were Mohammad Navid Shafiullah, Additional Secretary (Climate Change), Ministry of Environment; Malik Fida A. Khan, Executive Director of CEGIS; Dharitri Kumar Sarkar, Joint Secretary of the ministry; Roslina Parvin, Senior Assistant Secretary; and Mousumi Parvin, Senior Climate Change Officer of ADB.

END/CLM/RH/