Speakers call for frontline voices in climate policymaking

A policy dialogue in Dhaka on Monday called for placing climate-affected and marginalised communities at the centre of national and global climate decision-making, saying no climate policy can be complete without their lived experiences.

The call came at a photo book discussion and policy dialogue titled "Lives on the Frontlines: Climate Change and Survival in Bangladesh", jointly organised by YouthNet Global and Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Bangladesh in the capital.

Speakers said climate change is not merely a matter of statistics, but a lived reality shaping livelihoods, health, migration and survival.

They called for stronger adaptation support, fair climate finance and greater inclusion of local leadership in climate governance at both national and global levels.

They also highlighted the upcoming UN Climate Conference COP31 as an important opportunity to advance climate finance, loss and damage mechanisms, adaptation, and the just transition agenda.

Speakers stressed the need to ensure fair participation of vulnerable countries, alongside greater transparency and accountability in climate funding.

Dr Kazi Shajahan, Additional Secretary of the Economic Relations Division (ERD), said climate finance is not only about mobilising resources but also about ensuring fair distribution.

"Climate finance is not just about raising funds. It must ensure priority access for the most vulnerable people. Transparency, accountability and local priorities are essential," he said.

Dr Felix Gaerdes, Resident Representative of FES Bangladesh, said climate change is not an abstract issue, but a lived reality affecting people's daily lives and existence.

"The policy must reflect the reality people face every day," he said.

Sohanur Rahman, Executive Coordinator of YouthNet Global, said climate justice requires affected communities to be recognised as active decision-makers, not passive participants.

"Without the lived experiences of marginalised communities, no climate policy can be complete. Their voices must be at the centre of decision-making," he said, adding that youth and women's leadership must be strengthened in climate action.

Sumaiya Binte Selim, Youth and Gender Programme Coordinator of the International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD), said locally led adaptation is essential for an effective and sustainable climate response.

"Without empowering local communities, climate action cannot be sustainable," she said.

The panel discussion was moderated by YouthNet Global Deputy Executive Coordinator Aruba Faruk and climate policy analyst Ilmi Tabassum.

In a special session, representatives from climate-affected regions shared their experiences.

Sonamoni, a tiger widow from coastal Shyamnagar, said communities continue to face cyclones, salinity intrusion and uncertainty.

"We are not only fighting disasters, but also silence and neglect. Our voices are still not heard," she said.

Mamtaz Begum from the Manta community in Barishal said river-dependent communities remain excluded from policymaking.

"We live with the river, but we are not part of policy," she said.

Shahina Akter from Char YouthNet, Kurigram, said women face increasing health risks due to floods and river erosion.

Teacher Mudasser Alam from Sunamganj said haor communities seek dignity and security, not just survival.

"We are living, but survival alone is not enough. We need dignity and security," he said.

Harunur Rashid Sagar, author of the photo book, said visual storytelling can influence policymaking beyond numbers and statistics.

"Images speak truths that statistics often cannot capture," he said.

Filmmaker Mohammad Rakibul Hasan said visual media can bring climate realities closer to policymakers and create stronger pressure for action.

Organisers said the initiative aimed to bring frontline experiences into national and global climate discourse, adding that such efforts would be expanded to better reflect grassroots realities in policymaking.