Staff Correspondent

A day-long 8th Urban Dialogue on ‘Resilient Cities towards LDC Graduation’ was held at Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban auditorium of Dhaka University (DU) on Tuesday.

DU VC Prof. Dr. ASM Maksud Kamal delivered the key-note speech at the inaugural function of the dialogue while Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Atiqul Islam addressed it as chief guest. The Department of Disaster Science and Climate Resilience of DU and Urban INGO Forum jointly organized this event.

National Director of Habitat for Humanity International Bangladesh James Samuel presided over the inaugural function while Country Manager of Global One Raihan Mahmood Kadery, Country Director of Concern Worldwide Manish Kumar Agrawal and Director of BRAC Dr. Liakath Ali addressed it as special guests.

Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. ASM Maksud Kamal said, sustainable development is not possible without innovation.

For sustainable innovations mutual collaboration, cooperation and partnership among concerned ones would be enhanced. Addressing the challenges of climate change researchers, stakeholders, city corporations, NGOs, public-private organizations and policy-makers need to work together for urban development in a planned way. DU VC further said, climate change is a threat to mankind. Developing countries like Bangladesh and poor countries have badly been affected due to this.

Mayor Atiqul Islam said, the developing and poor countries have suffered immensely due to corona epidemic, climate change and ongoing wars in different countries. Developed countries are mainly responsible for carbon emissions and climate change. They must take responsibilities and give compensation to affected countries.

We are also largely responsible for the pollution of our environment. Terming Dhaka city as one of the most densely populated one in the world he said, we are polluting environment of this megacity in many ways. He urged city dwellers to be more conscious of protecting our environment and work collectively to face the challenges arising due to climate change.

It may be mentioned that experts and professionals from different government and non-government organizations have participated at the dialogue.