ERD hosts high-level dialogue to boost climate finance for trillion-dollar Bangladesh

The Economic Relations Division (ERD) today (6 August) hosted a high-level policy dialogue in Dhaka to accelerate climate finance mobilisation in support of Bangladesh's ambition to become a climate-resilient, trillion-dollar economy.

Held at Pan Pacific Sonargaon under the Bangladesh Climate Development Partnership (BCDP), the event marked the 33rd initiative of ERD's International Climate Finance Cell (ICFC). Organised with technical support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the dialogue brought together policymakers, representatives of international financial institutions, private-sector leaders, civil society members and academics.

Speaking as chief guest, ERD Secretary Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky said Bangladesh continues to incur heavy losses from climate change and must prioritise climate finance. He acknowledged gaps in the country's readiness to access global climate funds and stressed the need to strengthen institutional capacity to attract greater private investment.

ADB Country Director Qingfeng Zhang reaffirmed the bank's commitment to supporting Bangladesh's climate-resilient development and underscored the importance of developing bankable, investment-ready projects.

The dialogue featured two thematic panel discussions. The first focused on climate literacy and project readiness, with ERD's UN Wing Chief AKM Sohel calling for bridging climate science and financial feasibility through evidence-based project design. Panellists from PKSF, FAO, BRAC and YouthNet Global stressed the need to break institutional silos and improve coordination.

The second session explored ways to scale up climate finance through blended finance mechanisms and the establishment of a national green taxonomy. Representatives from the World Bank, ADB, Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the British High Commission and private-sector organisations discussed strategies to position climate initiatives as attractive investment opportunities.

In the closing session, Prime Minister's Adviser Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir highlighted Bangladesh's development trajectory and called for aligning national plans with global frameworks such as the Paris Agreement. He also urged greater mobilisation of private capital and faster, more concessional financing from international climate funds.

Special remarks were delivered by Md Saimum Parvez and British High Commissioner Sarah Cooke.

As part of the programme, 42 participants were selected from an initial cohort of 64 to advance to the final round – the Climate Leadership Incubation Lab, to be held in Gazipur from 9-13 August. Under expert mentorship, participants will develop submission-ready concept notes for the Green Climate Fund.

Officials said the initiative is expected to strengthen Bangladesh's capacity to access international climate finance and advance sustainable, climate-resilient development.