Bangladesh’s Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo, MP, held four important bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the 17th Conference of the Parties (UNCCD COP17) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, held in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia.

The meetings focused on a range of issues, including combating land degradation and drought, strengthening climate resilience, ecosystem restoration, biodiversity conservation, renewable energy, trade, labour migration and institutional cooperation.

Environment Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo said stronger regional and international partnerships are essential to address cross-border challenges such as climate change and land degradation. He also expressed Bangladesh’s interest in sharing its experience and expertise with partner countries while learning from their successful initiatives.

During a meeting with India’s Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister H.E. Mr. Bhupender Yadav on August 24, the two sides emphasized expanding the long-standing environmental and climate cooperation between the two countries. They discussed joint initiatives on climate-resilient agriculture, efficient water resource management, drought risk management, and forest and biodiversity conservation.

The meeting also covered the protection of the Sundarbans and coastal ecosystems in the Bay of Bengal region, the use of remote sensing and GIS technologies, and the development of technical capacity. Cooperation in renewable and clean energy was also highlighted, including solar power, battery energy storage, land-efficient renewable technologies, and the exchange of experience and technology in environmentally sustainable energy management.

At a meeting with Mongolian Foreign Minister H.E. Battsetseg Batmunkh on Tuesday, discussions focused on further strengthening the friendly relations between the two countries and enhancing diplomatic representation by opening embassies in both countries. The two sides also exchanged views on expanding bilateral trade alongside environmental and climate cooperation.

Particular emphasis was placed on expanding opportunities for Bangladesh to export agricultural products, processed food, pharmaceuticals and readymade garments to Mongolia. The meeting also discussed the potential for safe and regular employment of skilled and semi-skilled Bangladeshi workers in various sectors, including construction, services and agriculture, in line with Mongolia’s labour market needs. Government-to-government arrangements, recognition of skills and protection of migrant workers were also emphasized.

In a meeting with Ugochi Daniels, Deputy Director General (Operations) of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), on August 26, the discussions focused on the interrelationship between climate change and migration. They also exchanged views on strengthening the capacity of climate-vulnerable communities and ensuring safe, orderly and regular migration. The need for more effective international cooperation to address climate-induced human mobility was emphasized.

Meanwhile, at a meeting with Mongolia’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change H.E. Mr. Sandag-Ochir Tsend, the two sides discussed giving a more institutional framework to environmental and climate cooperation between Bangladesh and Mongolia. They also exchanged views on preparing a memorandum of understanding on environmental and climate cooperation.

Land restoration, biodiversity, climate adaptation, sustainable natural resource management and capacity building were identified as potential areas of cooperation.

Bangladesh expressed interest in learning from Mongolia’s experience in pastureland management, desertification control and drought resilience. At the same time, Bangladesh expressed its willingness to share its own experience in wetland, coastal and community-based ecosystem restoration with Mongolia.

The two sides also discussed advancing cooperation through GIS, remote sensing, drought early-warning systems, expert exchanges, training, joint research and pilot projects.

The Environment Minister expressed hope that these meetings on the sidelines of COP17 would lead to stronger practical cooperation with the concerned countries and organizations, giving Bangladesh’s international partnerships a new dimension in environmental protection, climate resilience and sustainable development.