A unique day-long festival titled “Biophilia: Reconnecting People, Climate and Culture” was held yesterday at a city convention center, calling for global unity and stronger local leadership to tackle the climate crisis. The event was organized by the Embassy of Switzerland as part of the Climate Action at Local Level (CALL) program.
In her inaugural address, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Honorable Advisor to the interim government’s Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, stressed the urgency of collective action. “Knowledge-based initiatives and global unity and empathy are crucial to tackling the climate crisis. We have limited time and resources, so we must act together. This crisis isn’t just about survival; it’s about the security of future generations and the existence of many nations,” she said.
A major highlight of the day was the launch of the CALL Network — a joint initiative by nine Swiss NGOs (CBM, Enfants du Monde, GAIN, HEKS/EPER, Helvetas Bangladesh, Solidar Suisse, Swisscontact, Swiss Red Cross, and Terre des Hommes) along with 18 Bangladeshi partner organizations, supported by Switzerland.
The closing session featured a climate pledge ceremony where M. Sakhawat Hossain, Adviser to the Ministry of Shipping, attended as chief guest, while Muhammad Fazlul Kabir Khan, Adviser to the Ministry of Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources, led as the chief climate oath-taker.
Michael Miller, Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh; Corinne Hetsch Piniyani, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Switzerland; and eminent water expert Dr. Ainun Nishat were also present.
Speaking at the event, Advisor M. Sakhawat Hossain emphasized, “If we are to save our rivers and the livelihoods of those who depend on them, we must invest in our skills and green infrastructure. The future of our workforce lies not in resisting change, but in leading it.”
Corinne Hetsch Piniyani reaffirmed Switzerland’s commitment to strengthening Bangladesh’s climate resilience, while chief oath-taker Muhammad Fazlul Kabir Khan inspired participants to lead the way in climate protection.
The event concluded with a cultural evening, where popular band Joler Gaan captivated the audience with songs of rivers, nature, and survival. The festival ended with “Echos of the Delta”, a moving performance blending dance, music, and storytelling.
The youth-led think-and-do tank Genlab, serving as the climate communication partner, planned and executed the festival. Organizers said the event would be remembered as a symbol of unity and commitment, reconnecting people, climate, and culture.