Young climate activists in Bangladesh demand urgent action

Young climate activists in Bangladesh have voiced concrete calls for climate justice, adaptation measures and a greater role in policy-making.

They met officials from the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change at the SIRDAP Auditorium during a pre-COP29 dialogue on Tuesday (October 29) to present their priorities and demands for effective action on climate change, a press release said. release.

Sohanur Rahman, executive coordinator of YouthNet Global, stressed that climate change is a “fight for survival” for the youth of Bangladesh.

“We need our government to go beyond promises and stand up for climate justice at COP29,” he said, calling for robust adaptation strategies and financial guarantees to protect the hardest-hit communities.

Rahman also emphasized that youth voices must be present “at every decision-making table” not only for representation, but also to influence real policy change.

Farzana Farooq Jumu, a youth advocate with UNICEF Bangladesh, was encouraged by the government’s commitment to engaging young voices. She called for structured youth participation in the COP29 negotiation process, noting that “youth engagement is not just a buzzword, but a process.” She emphasized the importance of Bangladesh’s position paper, seeing it as a tool to enable youth activists to directly participate in global negotiations and advocate for Bangladesh’s unique needs in the international arena.

Shah Rafayat Chowdhury, co-founder of Footsteps, emphasized the importance of resilience in the face of escalating climate events. “Adaptation measures are critical to protecting livelihoods in Bangladesh,” he said. “Our communities have demonstrated incredible resilience, but without concrete adaptation plans and investments, that resilience can only go so far.”

He urged leaders to view adaptation not just as a response, but as a fundamental element of Bangladesh’s climate strategy.

Other speakers added specific demands.

Saila Shabnam Ritchie of YouthNet Global called for greater accountability from developed countries on climate finance, while Fariha Sultana Aumi of Fridays for Future Bangladesh called on the government to push for legally binding commitments to carbon reduction targets at COP29. Both activists said there is a need for a global commitment to compensate for loss and damage, which is critical for countries like Bangladesh that face the brunt of climate impacts.

Following the event, participants reaffirmed their demands for a youth-centric approach at COP29, calling on the government to reflect youth-led climate justice priorities in its official position. Their collective voices highlighted the need for urgency, accountability and long-term solutions for Bangladesh’s future in a rapidly changing climate.