Diplomatic Desk:
Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Abdul Awal Mintoo paid a courtesy call on Asian Development Bank (ADB) Vice-President (South, Central and West Asia) Yingming Yang.
The meeting, held at the minister’s office on Monday (August 10, 2026), discussed various aspects of Bangladesh and ADB’s long-standing development cooperation, combating the adverse effects of climate change, and strengthening environmentally friendly and sustainable development activities.
During the meeting, issues such as climate adaptation and mitigation activities, increasing climate finance, conserving forests and biodiversity, controlling air and plastic pollution, expanding the use of renewable energy, and developing environmentally friendly cities and infrastructure gained importance.
In addition, views were exchanged on the possibility of increasing ADB’s technical and financial assistance in building the capacity of vulnerable populations and building disaster-resilient infrastructure due to climate change.
Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo said that although Bangladesh is not responsible for climate change, it is one of the countries most affected by its adverse effects. The government is prioritizing both climate adaptation and mitigation activities to protect the lives, livelihoods and natural resources of the country’s people.
He said that development partners need adequate, easily accessible and long-term financing to successfully implement these activities. In this regard, they must determine their own priorities first. He called for further expansion of ADB’s cooperation in environmental protection, pollution control and climate-resilient development.
ADB Vice-President Yingming Yang praised the various initiatives taken by Bangladesh to address the impacts of climate change. She expressed her interest in further strengthening ADB’s partnership with Bangladesh in environmental protection, climate-resilient infrastructure, clean energy and sustainable development activities.
During the meeting, both sides reviewed the areas of ongoing cooperation. In addition, the possibility of undertaking new projects and programs of mutual interest was also discussed.
Both sides expressed optimism about further advancing development cooperation between Bangladesh and ADB through regular communication and coordination in the future.
Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Mohammad Navid Shafiullah and senior officials of ADB were present at the meeting.
