Effective implementation of national action plan crucial to prevent lead pollution: Environment Minister Mintoo
Staff Correspondent
Effective implementation of the national action plan is crucial to build a lead-pollution-free Bangladesh, protect children's healthy development, and ensure public health, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo said today.
He stressed that all relevant ministries, government agencies, industrial sectors, development partners, and stakeholders must work together to execute the cabinet-approved "National Strategy and Multi-Year Action Plan for a Lead-Free Bangladesh 2026–2035."
The minister made the remarks as the chief guest at a high-level seminar titled "Progress Towards a Lead-Free Bangladesh: Scaling Solutions and Active Youth Engagement" at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka, organized by Pure Earth Bangladesh in collaboration with the ministry to mark International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week 2026 on Wednesday.
Highlighting government initiatives, the minister noted that the Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on August 17, 2026, approved the ten-year national strategy. The plan prioritizes identifying pollution sources, strengthening environmental monitoring and legal frameworks, enhancing lab capacity, creating awareness, and promoting industrial responsibility.
"Following the strategy's approval, we must now ensure its effective execution through targeted work plans, adequate funding, remediation of contaminated sites, and regular environmental oversight," he said, urging international development partners and the private sector to provide financial and technical support.
Additionally, two portable X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) analyzers were handed over to the Department of Environment to bolster lead detection capabilities.
Chaired by Additional Secretary Mohammad Naveed Shafiullah, the seminar featured key presentations by Pure Earth Bangladesh Senior Program Manager Aftab Uz Zaman Khan and IUT student Sheikh Sajidul Islam.
Distinguished speakers included IEDCR Director Prof Dr Kazi Ahmed Zaki, Department of Environment Additional Director General Mohammad Solaiman Haider, and Pure Earth Bangladesh Country Director Mitali Das.
