Staff Correspondent

Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintu held four crucial bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the 17th Conference of the Parties (UNCCD COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, hosted in the Mongolian capital.

The discussions centered heavily on land degradation, drought mitigation, climate resilience, biodiversity preservation, renewable energy collaboration, and managing climate-induced migration.

During the diplomatic engagements, Minister Mintu emphasized that forging robust regional and international partnerships remains vital to overcoming transboundary challenges like climate change and land degradation. He noted that Bangladesh is eager to both share its homegrown climate adaptation experiences and learn from the successful initiatives of partner nations.

On August 24, Mintu met with Indian Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister H.E. Mr. Bhupender Yadav to explore expanding long-standing environmental cooperation. The talks focused specifically on climate-resilient agriculture, water resource efficiency, drought management, and safeguarding the shared ecosystems of the Sundarbans and the Bay of Bengal. Discussions also touched upon clean energy collaboration, including solar power, battery storage, and GIS-based remote sensing technologies.

In talks with Mongolian Foreign Minister H.E. Battsetseg Batmunkh, discussions shifted toward deepening bilateral ties, potentially opening respective embassies to strengthen diplomatic representation, and expanding bilateral trade. The dialogue explored boosting exports of Bangladeshi agricultural goods, pharmaceuticals, and readymade garments, alongside establishing structured, government-to-government pathways for safe labor migration in Mongolia's construction, service, and agricultural sectors.

On August 26, Mintu sat down with Ugochi Daniels, Deputy Director General for Operations of the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The conversation addressed the growing intersection of climate change and human displacement, emphasizing better capacity building for vulnerable populations and ensuring orderly, safe migration channels.

Concluding his sideline engagements in a session with Mongolian Environment and Climate Change Minister Mr. Sandag-Ochir Tsend, both nations laid the groundwork for institutionalizing bilateral climate cooperation via a proposed Memorandum of Understanding. Bangladesh highlighted its interest in adopting Mongolia's pasture management and desertification control strategies, while offering expertise in wetland and community-based ecosystem restoration.

The Environment Minister expressed optimism that these strategic dialogues will translate into actionable, practical partnerships, giving fresh momentum to Bangladesh's global climate diplomacy and sustainable development goals.