Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury announced that the UN Climate Adaptation Conference National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Expo 2024 will take place at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) from April 22 to April 25. The Expo, organized under the supervision of the UNFCCC in collaboration with expert groups from least developed countries and various organizations, will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Minister Saber made these remarks during a press conference held by his ministry to mark the occasion of NAP Expo 2024 on Wednesday.

A total of 383 individuals from 104 countries have registered with the UNFCCC to participate in NAP Expo 2024. Additionally, 550 people, including representatives from various ministries, departments, organizations in the country, climate experts, NGO representatives, and students, will attend. Minister Saber emphasized that this conference will facilitate mutual learning on various adaptation activities undertaken by different countries to combat the impacts of climate change.

NAP Expo serves as an international platform where countries, organizations, and stakeholders interact and exchange experiences on formulating and implementing NAPs. Expert meetings will discuss country experiences, best practices, implementation challenges, support needs, and progress in NAP implementation. UNFCCC Executive Secretary Simon Stiell will be present at the NAP Expo.

The conference will feature 20 stalls showcasing adaptive activities from different countries. Over four days, 16 sessions will cover topics including transformational adaptation, financial mechanisms, adaptation activity monitoring and evaluation tools, and gender-responsive adaptation.

Bangladesh will showcase various climate adaptation initiatives such as rainwater harvesting, solar-powered water harvesting in hilly areas, climate-tolerant seeds, livestock conservation, Delta Plan activities supporting adaptation, cyclone shelters, infrastructure development, climate-resilient urban management, and climate refugees across 10 designated sites.

Minister Saber highlighted the opportunity to learn from orientation activities at foreign stalls and mentioned the participation of various ministries and local and international organizations to showcase Bangladesh's climate adaptation efforts.

The press conference was attended by Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Dr. Farhina Ahmed, Additional Secretary (Administration) Iqbal Abdullah Harun, Additional Secretary (EPC) Tapan Kumar Biswas, and Director-General of the Department of Environment Dr. Abdul Hamid, among others.