A National Advocacy Workshop on “Youth and Women Engagement in NDC Implementation and Achieving Net Zero” was held at the Bangabandhu Military Museum in Dhaka on 24 December 2024 as part of the “Climate Promise-From Pledge to Impact” project by UNDP and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Organized by UNDP, with its implementing partners Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Research (C3ER), BRAC University, NACOM, and the International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD), the workshop focused on the importance of inclusive, gender-responsive strategies in promoting Bangladesh’s Nationally Determined Contributions and enhancing climate resilience. It gathered various stakeholders, including government officials and civil society, to address gaps in gender and youth inclusion in climate action and promote collaborative climate mitigation strategies.
The workshop featured Ms. Keya Khan, Director General of the Department of Women Affairs, as the Chief Guest, alongside Special Guests Ms. Dilruba Haider, Programme Specialist at UN Women, and Mr. Dharitri Kumar Sarker, Deputy Secretary at the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change.
Keya Khan, Director General of the Department of Women Affairs and the Chief Guest of the workshop illustrated the daily vulnerabilities women face due to climate change and emphasized the importance of addressing their unique challenges through robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.
Mr. Dharitri Kumar Sarker, Deputy Secretary of MoEFCC and a Special Guest expressed optimism about prospects, hoping the next version of the NDC would be more inclusive and ambitious.
Ms. Dilruba Haider, Programme Specialist at UN Women and another Special Guest, pointed out the lack of representation for women and youth in the NDC. She underlined the importance of empowering women in these discussions.
Mr. Saqib Huq, Managing Director of ICCCAD, stressed the need to leverage innovative digital tools, community radio, and multi-stakeholder platforms to amplify marginalized voices.
Ms. Farah Anzum, Youth and Gender Engagement Expert for Climate Promise, delivered a keynote presentation highlighting the critical role of gender and youth in advancing NDC implementation, while Mr. Arif M. Faisal, Programme Specialist at UNDP, set the tone for the breakout group exercise session.
Participants took part in interactive breakout sessions aimed at crafting sector-specific strategies to promote inclusive climate action. Conversations across the energy, transportation, industry, agriculture, youth, and women’s sectors highlighted the importance of closing communication gaps, encouraging sustainable practices, and ensuring inclusivity for women and rural communities.
Key recommendations included fostering skills in climate-resilient techniques and aligning policy reforms with community engagement and technological advancements. In discussions centered on youth, participants pointed out existing policy and monitoring shortfalls, underscoring the need for greater transparency, diverse representation, and initiatives focused on capacity-building.
There was a strong emphasis on the necessity of including youth in monitoring efforts and incorporating their research into climate action strategies. The group exercise was moderated by Mr Faisal and Ms. Dilruba. The workshop was moderated by Ms. Moomtahina Rahman, Disaster Management Specialist, Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Research (C3ER), BRAC University.
The workshop concluded with participants presenting their findings. This event underscored the urgency of inclusive and participatory approaches to achieving Bangladesh’s climate commitments and laid the groundwork for transformative change in the country’s climate policies.
