Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo held four bilateral meetings with representatives of India, Mongolia and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) on the sidelines of the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The meetings focused on combating land degradation and drought, strengthening climate resilience, ecosystem restoration, biodiversity conservation, renewable energy, trade, labour migration and institutional cooperation.
Expanding Environmental and Climate Cooperation with India
At a meeting with Indian Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav, the two sides discussed ways to further expand longstanding environmental and climate cooperation between Bangladesh and India. They discussed cooperation in climate-resilient agriculture, efficient water-resource management, drought-risk reduction, and forest and biodiversity conservation. The two sides also discussed protecting the Sundarbans and coastal ecosystems in the Bay of Bengal, expanding the use of remote sensing and GIS technologies, and enhancing technical capacity.
Strengthening Bilateral Relations with Mongolia
At a meeting with Mongolian Foreign Minister Battsetseg Batmunkh, the two sides discussed ways to further strengthen friendly relations and diplomatic cooperation, including the opening of embassies in Bangladesh and Mongolia. They also discussed expanding bilateral trade, particularly increasing Bangladesh's exports of agricultural products, processed food, pharmaceuticals and ready-made garments to Mongolia. The possibility of creating safe and regular employment opportunities for skilled and semi-skilled Bangladeshi workers in Mongolia's construction, services and agricultural sectors was also discussed.
Addressing Climate Change and Migration with IOM
At a meeting with IOM Deputy Director General for Operations Ugochi Daniels, views were exchanged on the links between climate change and migration, strengthening the resilience of climate-vulnerable communities and ensuring safe, orderly and regular migration. The meeting underscored the need for stronger international cooperation to address climate-induced human mobility.
Institutionalizing Environmental Cooperation with Mongolia
At another meeting with Mongolian Minister of Environment and Climate Change Sandag-Ochir Tsend, the two sides discussed institutionalizing environmental and climate cooperation between Bangladesh and Mongolia. They agreed to explore the preparation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on environmental and climate cooperation, with potential areas including land restoration, biodiversity, climate adaptation, sustainable natural-resource management and capacity building.
Mintoo expressed hope that the meetings on the sidelines of COP17 would help further strengthen practical cooperation with partner countries and organizations and give a new dimension to Bangladesh's international partnerships in environment, climate resilience and sustainable development.
