Bangladesh has called for decisive, coordinated and adequately financed global action to address the “triple planetary crisis” of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. Speaking at the Plenary of the 7th Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) in Nairobi, Environment Secretary Dr. Farhina Ahmed stressed that vulnerable nations cannot confront escalating environmental threats without predictable and sufficient international financing.
Delivering Bangladesh’s National Statement on Thursday, Dr. Ahmed warned that the absence of global support forces developing countries to divert scarce resources from essential sectors such as health, education and social protection toward disaster response. “This jeopardizes the future of generations to come,” she said, urging UNEA-7 to help mobilize resources through coherent and synergistic multilateral environmental agreements.
Calling climate change a “daily reality” for Bangladesh, she highlighted the mounting human and ecological toll from extreme heat, cyclones, floods, sea-level rise and riverbank erosion—hazards that continue to displace millions and degrade ecosystems. Despite contributing less than 0.5% of global emissions, Bangladesh has reinforced its climate leadership through its enhanced NDC 3.0, submitted within the global deadline. The plan aims to generate 25% of electricity from renewable sources by 2035, five times the current level. The government is also accelerating implementation of the National Adaptation Plan (NAP 2023) and expanding locally led adaptation initiatives.
On biodiversity, Dr. Ahmed drew attention to the pressure on natural resources in a densely populated nation of 180 million people. She outlined progress in implementing the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (2026–30), the National Conservation Strategy, the Ramsar Strategic Plan (2026–30) and national frameworks on land degradation neutrality, forests, environment and biosafety.
Bangladesh’s longstanding leadership on pollution control was also highlighted. As the first country to ban thin plastic bags, Bangladesh has since adopted wide-ranging regulations on solid waste, e-waste, medical waste, hazardous waste and ship-breaking. The government has finalized Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) directives for plastic waste, restricted selected single-use plastics and drafted a comprehensive Chemical Waste Management Rules.
Dr. Ahmed urged the global community to adopt an integrated lifecycle approach to chemicals and plastics, prioritizing prevention, safer alternatives and circularity, while safeguarding informal workers who remain at the front line of waste management.
Md. Ziaul Haque, Additional Director General of the Department of Environment, attended the UNEA-7 plenary as part of the Bangladesh delegation.