Staff Correspondent

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo met with UNICEF Bangladesh Acting Representative Jillian Melsop at the ministry office on Wednesday.

The discussions centered on safeguarding children and adolescents from the adverse effects of climate change and making essential social services—including education, health, nutrition, water, sanitation, and hygiene—climate-resilient.

Highlighting that children and youth are the architects of a climate-resilient Bangladesh, Minister Mintoo stated that the government is working under the special directives of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to prioritize the younger generation in all climate action plans.

UNICEF's Melsop thanked the minister for the Cabinet's recent approval of the National Strategy and Multi-Year Action Plan for a Lead-Free Bangladesh (2026–2035) and assured UNICEF's comprehensive support for its implementation.

The environment minister added that ministry activities will be further intensified to protect children from lead poisoning and other forms of pollution.

Noting that children bear the brunt of climate shocks despite having no role in causing them, officials referenced recent UNICEF findings indicating that nearly 58.8 million children in Bangladesh face climate risks, with roughly nine out of ten children exposed to three or more simultaneous disaster risks.

To address this, the ministry and UNICEF will jointly formulate district-level Children’s Climate Risk Index (CCRI) and Climate Landscape Analysis for Children (CLAC) reports to identify vulnerable districts and target adaptation investments. UNICEF is also assisting in incorporating youth into Bangladesh’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 3.0) implementation plans, exploring rooftop solar installations in public schools and healthcare centers, and developing climate-resilient school models.

The meeting was attended by Additional Secretary Dr. Md. Saidur Rahman along with other senior ministry and UNICEF officials.