Staff Correspondent

Bangladesh Just Transition Academy on Wednesday called for promoting shared commitment among parties to support sustainable, equitable and inclusive economic transformation.

The two-day Bangladesh Just Transition Academy ended with a call for promoting shared commitment among government, employers and workers to support sustainable, equitable economic transformation aligned with the Paris Agreement, national climate and employment policies, the Agenda 2030 and ILO Guidelines, according to a media release.

The Academy is a collaborative effort of International Labour Organization (ILO), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, Laudes Foundation, and Thomson Reuters Foundation (TRF), with the support of the European Union, Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden and Global Affairs Canada.

Mentioning that transition is a gradual process, secretary of Ministry of Labour and Employment A.H.M. Shafiquzzaman remarked," We have to walk this talk together with the employers and the workers, achieving the Chief Adviser’s vision to “Make Bangladesh sustainable”.

Michal Krejza, head of cooperation of the European Union Delegation to Bangladesh stated that EU and its member states are supporting Bangladesh economy for access to market through compliance with international labour and environmental standards – driving efforts for adaptation to climate change, environmental protection and support to the circular economy.

Country Director of ILO Bangladesh Tuomo Poutiainen stated that they should continue discussion to drive just transition moving forward. "In Bangladesh, there is no official platform where government, workers and employers can come together and advance just transition. The call to action in which tripartite parties commit to drive this important process will be a critical step," he said.

President of Bangladesh Employers’ Federation Ardashir Kabir stated, just transition is not an abstract aspiration anymore. As the economy transitions in the face of climate change, we must ensure that people, environment and social justice are at the centre. The transition plan must be driven by social dialogue that includes the most vulnerable, including women, informal workers and people with disabilities.

Chairperson of the Just Transition Bangladesh Centre A.R. Chowdhury Repon stated that justice, equity and sustainability must be our compass in those economic transition, ensuring workers are at the centre of the process.

The co-organisers confirmed they will continue to work together to take forward the momentum of the Academy. 

Starting from 6 May 2025, the Academy included panel discussions among stakeholders, presentations from youth climate entrepreneurs, interactive breakout sessions, with participation from government and non-government agencies, youth-led organizations, private sectors, and media.