Saber sees scope for strengthening US-Bangladesh ties on climate issues

Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury today expressed confidence that the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and the United States will strengthen, driven by collaborative environmental and climate initiatives.

"These are priority areas for the United States. So, the United States wants to cooperate with us in programs to combat climate change," he said.

Saber said this to the media after Afreen Akhter, deputy assistant secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs at the US Department of State, held a meeting with him at his office at the Secretariat today, according to a press release. "We discussed their cooperation in addressing our environmental and climate change needs," he added.

"We want to establish a new platform by forming a fund of USD 15 billion to combat climate change. All our development partners can help there. I am optimistic that America will be too. They will keep our needs in mind in the US plan," he said.

"We discussed how Bangladesh-US relations can be further strengthened in the future," said the minister.

The discussions underscored the importance of collaborative efforts between the US and Bangladesh in addressing environmental challenges, tackling climate change, preserving natural resources, and promoting sustainable development, the release said.

Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to working together to address environmental challenges and ensure a sustainable benefit for present and future generations of the region, it said.

Ambassador of Bangladesh to the US Muhammad Imran, Helen LaFave, Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Bangladesh; Michael Schiffer, assistant administrator for the Bureau for Asia at the US Agency for International Development (USAID) were present at the meeting, among others.