The Adaptation Initiative for Climate Vulnerable Offshore Small Islands and Riverine Charland in Bangladesh Project, a joint effort between the Department of Environment (DoE) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), was officially launched today at an inception workshop held at Charfashion Upazila Parishad in Bhola.

This five-year project, which commenced in January 2023 and is funded by the Adaptation Fund through UNDP, aims to significantly bolster climate resilience at both household and community levels.

According to a UNDP press release, the project adopts a comprehensive approach to address the diverse challenges posed by climate change, with a particular focus on vulnerable communities residing on coastal islands and riverine chars in Bangladesh.

Dr. Abdul Hamid, Director General of DoE, graced the event as the Chief Guest, while Md Iqubal Hossain, Deputy Secretary and Director of the Environmental Department, Khulna Division, attended as the special guest. Sarder M Asaduzzaman, Assistant Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh, was also present as the guest of honor.

Mirza Shawkat Ali, Director of DoE and Project Director, delivered the keynote paper on "Adaptation Initiative," outlining the project's objectives and strategies.

Dr. Abdul Hamid underscored the crucial role of transparency and accountability in the beneficiary selection process, emphasizing their significance for the project's success. He called for concerted efforts from all stakeholders to achieve the project's ambitious objectives.

Sarder M Asaduzzaman from UNDP emphasized the paramount importance of gender equality and women's empowerment in project implementation. He urged adherence to UNDP's Social and Environmental Standards (SES) to mitigate social and environmental risks throughout the project's implementation.

Mirza Shawkat Ali, Director of DoE and Project Director, stressed the need for coordination among all government departments at the upazila level to facilitate seamless and successful project implementation.

The inception workshop provided a platform for substantive discussions, paving the way for collaborative endeavors to address climate vulnerabilities in Bangladesh and ensure the sustainable development of offshore small islands and riverine charland communities.