Dhaka, Riyadh to ink deal on environmental protection

Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia will sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enhance collaboration in protecting environment and wildlife and combating climate change.

The decision came when Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury held a bilateral meeting with Saudi Arabia's State Minister for Environment Dr Osama Ibrahim Faqeeha on the sidelines of ongoing UN Environment Conference in Nairobi, Kenya, reports BSS.

Recognising the mutual commitment to environmental protection, both the nations agreed to enhance cooperation by signing the MoU. 

The agreement aims to bolster collaboration in key areas such as environmental protection, wildlife conservation, combating climate change and pollution control, according to a message received here.

During the meeting, State Minister Faqeeha extended a formal invitation to Bangladesh Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury to attend the United Nations Convention on Desertification (UNCCD) slated for December 2024. 

This invitation underscores the growing collaboration between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia in addressing environmental challenges on a global scale, he said.

They discussed a wide array of issues, including knowledge exchange programmes, agricultural sustainability, mangrove conservation, waste management, the development of smart cities, and strategies to address land degradation.

They underscored the need for the shared determination of Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia to pursue innovative solutions to pressing environmental issues.

Saber Hossain expressed Bangladesh's dedication to advancing environmental sustainability both locally and internationally.