Staff Correspondent

Bangladesh and the International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) have reaffirmed their joint commitment to strengthening regional environmental governance, climate resilience, and transboundary river management.

The pledge was made during a bilateral meeting held on Thursday in Bangkok, Thailand, between Bangladesh's Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Abdul Awal Mintu, and ICIMOD Director General Dr. Pema Gyamtsho.

During the session, the ICIMOD Director General highly praised Bangladesh's long-standing and active engagement with the organization. He emphasized the critical need to bolster regional cooperation to address the complex cross-border challenges associated with glacier-fed river systems. Highlighting the necessity of an integrated transboundary action plan for the sustainable management of shared water resources, Dr. Gyamtsho also sought Bangladesh's continued support in ICIMOD's ongoing mid-term evaluation and strategic planning processes.

As part of institutional collaboration, the ICIMOD chief proposed designating Bangladesh's Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change as the organization's official "National Focal Point" in the country. The Environment Minister welcomed the proposal, stating that he would place the matter before the appropriate authorities for formal consideration and execution.

The Minister assured the Director General of Bangladesh's sustained support for all of ICIMOD's initiatives, confirming his participation in the organization's upcoming board meeting scheduled for September.

Both sides underscored the paramount importance of regional synergy in tackling escalating environmental crises.