Saleemul gets OBE

The UK has awarded an Officer of the Order of the British Empire honour to Professor Saleemul Huq for his work to combat climate change in Bangladesh and build climate expertise in Bangladesh, in the UK, and around the globe.

Prof Huq has dedicated his professional life to helping developing countries and vulnerable communities adapt to the impacts of climate change.

His scientific research, at leading universities and centres of excellence in the UK and in Bangladesh, has informed international policy on climate change for over 35 years. Accepting his OBE, Prof Huq said it is a great honour and pleasure for him to receive the OBE.

“As a dual Bangladeshi and British citizen, I have been working for two decades to enhance collaboration between the universities and researchers in both countries to tackle the twin global challenges of poverty eradication and dealing with climate change.”

Robert Chatterton Dickson, British High Commissioner to Bangladesh, said he is delighted that Prof Huq has been recognised with one of the UK’s most prestigious honours.

“With his passion, eloquence, and commitment to an all-of-society approach, Huq has deservedly become one of the most trusted and respected global commentators on the climate crisis. He also symbolises the very strong intellectual and people-to-people links between the UK and Bangladesh,” he said.

In Bangladesh, Prof Huq has been a leading author of the Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan as well as contributing to the Nationally Determined Contribution and National Action Plan on Adaptation.