Desk Report:
UNICEF Bangladesh Acting Representative Gillian Melsop met with Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo. The meeting, held at the minister’s office on Wednesday (August 19, 2026), discussed protecting children and adolescents from the impacts of climate change and making essential social services including education, health, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene climate-resilient.
Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo said in the meeting that children and youth are the architects of a climate-resilient Bangladesh today and tomorrow. Therefore, children and the young generation must be prioritized in the climate action plan. He also said that the ministry is working as per the special instructions of the Prime Minister in this regard.
UNICEF Bangladesh Representative Gillian Melsop thanked the minister for approving the ‘National Strategy and Multi-Year Action Plan for a Lead-Free Bangladesh (2026–2035)’ by the cabinet. She assured UNICEF’s full support in implementing the action plan.
The meeting also discussed the protection of children from the harmful effects of lead pollution and other pollution. The minister said that pollution control activities will be further strengthened to protect children.
According to a recent UNICEF report, about 58.8 million children in Bangladesh are at risk of some kind of climate risk. About 9 out of every 10 children are facing three or more disaster risks simultaneously. It was mentioned in the meeting that although children are not responsible for climate change, they are one of the biggest victims of it.
Initiatives have been taken to identify climate-vulnerable areas and adopt targeted investment and adaptation plans for children. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and UNICEF will work together to develop a district-based Child Climate Risk Index (CCRI) and a Climate Scenario Analysis for Children (CLAC) based on government-approved data.
UNICEF is also supporting the inclusion of children and adolescents in the implementation plan for Bangladesh’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0). This work is being carried out in coordination with the Department of Environment and related ministries in the education, health and nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene sectors.
UNICEF will also continue to support the feasibility of installing rooftop solar power in government schools and health centers. At the same time, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has announced that it will provide necessary support to the relevant ministries and UNICEF in their initiatives to develop eco-friendly and disaster-resilient school models.
The meeting also discussed the inclusion of climate and environmental education in the curriculum, organizing the Youth Climate Negotiators Fellowship and Youth Climate Summit, and increasing the participation of students and adolescents in the national tree plantation program.
The commitment to further strengthen partnerships with development partners to ensure a safe, environmentally friendly and livable Bangladesh for future generations was also reiterated.
The meeting was attended by Dr. Md. Saidur Rahman, Additional Secretary of the Ministry’s Environmental Pollution Control and Law Division, along with UNICEF Bangladesh and relevant officials of the Ministry.
