Decentralisation crucial for climate adaptation: French ambassador 

Marie Masdupuy, French ambassador to Bangladesh, emphasised a decentralised democratic process in advancing climate adaptation efforts in Bangladesh. 

Speaking at the National Youth Climate Dialogue, organised by YouthNet Global, she praised Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus' advocacy for decentralisation, calling it a significant reform that ensures locally-led adaptation. 

The event, part of the Global Dialogue on Climate Justice in collaboration with We Are Tomorrow Partnership and Youth and Environment Europe, took place in Dhaka this morning (7 September).

Masdupuy highlighted that decentralisation would enable better coordination between central and local governments, ensuring a more inclusive decision-making process. 

"For example, there is currently no representation from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in local government structures," she said, stressing the need for greater harmonisation between national and local bodies.

She also touched upon the adaptation pact between France and Bangladesh, initiated by French President Emmanuel Macron in 2023, which focuses on joint efforts in climate adaptation. 

In her remarks, Masdupuy underscored the importance of increasing civil society's role in this pact, asserting that it would enhance the impact of all climate-related projects.

Nayoka Martinez Bäckström, first secretary (Environment and Climate Change) at the Swedish Embassy in Bangladesh, was a guest speaker at the dialogue. 

She spoke about the growing opportunities for youth to influence policy and administrative reforms. 

"The youth movement has largely brought on this change in Bangladesh," she said. 

"Youth are not only climate change activists, but also advocates and technical contributors, bringing diverse knowledge and experience to the table."

Nayoka urged young people to build on the current momentum by continuing to play different roles at local and global levels in pushing the climate agenda forward.

Sohanur Rahman, executive coordinator of YouthNet Global, moderated the session, which featured a panel of experts including Dr Mohammad Assaduzzaman, senior policy advisor for Climate at the Embassy of the Netherlands, and Mahbub ul Alom, country director of Pathfinder International. 

They were joined by Jyotiraj Patra, programme director at Concern Worldwide Bangladesh, and Anika Karim, director and communications coordinator at Bonhishikha.

The dialogue, which is part of the Road to COP29 initiative, aimed to foster collaboration between Bangladesh and Turkey on climate resilience and justice. Participants engaged in breakout sessions that explored critical climate issues such as adaptation, mitigation, loss and damage, and climate finance. These sessions allowed for deep discussions on pressing challenges and facilitated the development of actionable recommendations.

Two young climate leaders from Istanbul, Turkey – Said Erkam Kızılkayalı and Nabil Juma Ramadhan from the New World Foundation—attended the event as part of an international youth exchange program. The discussions at the event were seen as a way to strengthen collaboration between Bangladesh and Turkey in the lead-up to COP29.

The concluding session was joined by esteemed academics and climate experts, including Prof Dr Petra Dannecker from the University of Vienna, Dr Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder from Stamford University Bangladesh, and Fahima Al Farabi from Jahangirnagar University. Other notable participants included Md Khademul Rashed from Islamic Relief Bangladesh, Raihan Ferdaus, senior reporter at Jamuna TV, and Farah Anzum, climate communicator at Global Strategic Communications.