All-party action for coastal challenges stressed

Speakers at a discussion on Sunday stressed the need for all-party political action to address the growing challenges facing the country’s coastal regions.

Political parties must reach a common position and take joint action to address the growing challenges in Bangladesh’s coastal areas, speakers said at the discussion ‘Coastal Climate Dialogue’. The event was organised by the Climate n Action Forum at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University. It called for the demands of coastal communities, outlined in the ‘Coastal Declaration’, to be presented at the upcoming UN climate conference, COP31.

The programme was inaugurated by university Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Md Abdul Latif. He said national progress would not be possible if the coastal region was left behind.

The speakers said climate change, salinity, river erosion and repeated natural disasters were threatening the lives and livelihoods of millions of coastal people.

MP Anisur Rahman Talukdar Khokon said the government had taken steps to address coastal and climate-related problems. He referred to the BNP’s 31-point programme and election pledges, which include commitments to renewable energy, health and education.