Every year, Bangladesh loses 1-2% of its GDP to climate change-induced floods, droughts, cyclones, tidal surges, heatwaves etc. While the government continues to implement various programs to tackle these impacts despite resource limitations, long-term initiatives are necessary and continued support from development partners is essential in this regard.

Speakers made these remarks at the closing ceremony of a PKSF project titled ‘Climate-resilient Infrastructure for Sustainable Community Life in the Haor Region of Bangladesh’, in short ‘giz-Haor’, at PKSF Bhaban in Dhaka. The project was funded by the German government.

The event was chaired by PKSF Chairman Zakir Ahmed Khan. Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky, Secretary of the Economic Relations Division, was the Chief Guest while Dr Fahmida Khanom, Additional Secretary (Environment Wing), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and Ulrich Kleppmann, Deputy Head of Development Cooperation at the German Embassy in Bangladesh, were the Special Guests. PKSF Managing Director Md Fazlul Kader delivered the welcome address. Two presentations were delivered by PKSF Deputy Managing Director Dr Fazle Rabbi Sadeque Ahmed and General Manager Dr AKM Nuruzzaman.

Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky noted the government has implemented over 800 projects through Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund, and allocates 6–7% of its annual budget to combat climate change impacts. So far, Bangladesh’s two Direct Access Entities to the Green Climate Fund—PKSF and IDCOL—have secured USD 447.3 million for 9 projects and 8 capacity-building initiatives. He expressed his hope that PKSF would undertake a larger-scale projects to expand the outcomes of the giz-Haor project.

Zakir Ahmed Khan stated that PKSF ensures the highest quality and effectiveness of its interventions by dint of its unwavering integrity, transparency, commitment, and meticulous monitoring. He expressed confidence that PKSF would continue its efforts towards sustainable and inclusive development by enhancing the adaptation capacities of the climate-vulnerable communities.

Ulrich Kleppmann highlighted that the German government is currently supporting 53 development projects in Bangladesh and reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to continue this cooperation in the future.

Dr Fahmida Khanom noted that the government alone cannot address the impacts of climate change. “This will only be possible through collective efforts of government and private institutions, as well as NGOs,” she said.

PKSF Managing Director Md Fazlul Kader said that as a Direct Access Entity to both the Green Climate Fund and the Adaptation Fund, PKSF is implementing various initiatives to tackle floods, droughts, and salinity. “Our initiatives are enhancing the adaptation capacity of vulnerable communities and improving their quality of life through sustainable agriculture, water resource management, and disaster risk reduction,” he added.

Under the giz-Haor project, climate-resilient infrastructures such as CC block revetments and retaining walls were constructed in three Unions of Sunamganj district to protect houses from severe flash flood-induced erosion. As a result, approximately 7,500 families have been protected from such risks. The elevation of community spaces has also enabled food crop preservation, enhancing the economic resilience of the poor. Furthermore, planting trees along the structures has helped conserve local biodiversity. Additionally, 1.54 km of protection walls were built in Jamalganj and Derai upazilas.