National Delta Dialogue Addresses GBM Delta Resilience and Livelihoods
Hub Director Andy Large introducing Living Deltas (Arif Billah)
Our Living Deltas team recently hosted a “National Delta Dialogue on GBM Delta Resilience and Livelihoods" in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Experts and stakeholders came together to discuss the results and recommendations coming out of the Hub’s ongoing research within the delta region. The Hub’s goal is to help ensure sustainable livelihoods and resilience in the Ganges Brahmaputra Meghna (GBM) delta region.
As the delta faces rising climate change threats, we emphasize the need for more cross-delta collaboration and the importance of “leaving no-one behind”.
Over the course of the morning over 60 attendees listened to engaging presentations from Hub experts including Bangladesh Hub Lead, Professor Mashfiqus Salehin, Professor Andy Large, Hub Director, Dr Hue Le, Hub Deputy Director (VNU), and Hub members Dr Shehrin Shaila Mahmood (ICDDRB), Dr Indrajit Pal (AIT), Dr Jack O’Connor (UNU).
Dr Jack O’Connor presenting (Arif Billah)
Dr Hue Le presenting (Arif Billah)
Prof Mashfiqus Salehin presenting his research (Arif Billah)
A panel discussion followed with speakers and panellists sharing insights, including key figures from government offices and international organisations. We heard from:
The Panel (Arif Billah)
Dr Saleemul Huq, International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD);
Mr. Mohd. Monirul Islam, Additional Secretary (SDGs Affairs), Prime Minister's Office (PMO);
Mr. Sanjay Kumar Bhowmik, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC);
Ms Anna Balance Climate Change and Environment, Advisor, FCDO Bangladesh and
Mr John Warburton, Head of Climate and Environment, Indo-Pacific Regional Department, FCDO New Delhi.
Our chief guest Mr. Md Akhter Hossain, Principal Coordinator, SDG Affairs, Prime Minister’s Office, closed the event acknowledging the important and relevant research carried out by the Living Deltas Hub, and that this should be taken forward as part of the National Adaptation Plan (NAP), to support the country’s most vulnerable people.
The event underscored the global significance of the GBM Delta's challenges and the potential of research-driven solutions to transform policies and practices, ushering in a more sustainable and equitable future for delta communities in the region.
See more about the event in the Bangladeshi media here and here.