Meeting of Political Parties on Environmental Protection and Climate Change
Date: 17 Sep, 2023
Venue: Western Inn, Khulna
Participants: Leaders from major political parties in Khulna, including Bangladesh Awami League,
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Jatiya Party, Communist Party of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal – Bangladesh JASAD, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, Socialist Party of Bangladesh, and journalists.
Key Highlights:
- Opening Remarks: The meeting, initiated by AOSED, was characterized by an invitation to share childhood memories connected to nature by Shamim Arfeen, the Executive Director of AOSED.
- Party Perspectives:
- Communist Party: Emphasized the historical perspective of environmental issues due to capitalist actions, highlighted the importance of forming alliances among developing nations, and underscored the need to address climate issues through the spirit of liberation war.
- Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP): Addressed political challenges in protecting natural resources like canals and expressed concerns about developmental projects affecting the Sundarbans.
- JASAD & Other Parties: Emphasized the roles and responsibilities of political parties in enhancing public awareness, addressing corruption, and collaborating on environmental protection initiatives. Highlighted the impacts of climate change on the region and called for collective efforts.
- Mayoral Perspectives: The Hon'ble Mayor of Khulna City Corporation, Talukdar Abdul Khalek, acknowledged the shared concerns about climate change and the importance of preserving the Sundarbans. He emphasized public awareness and collaboration among political parties for environmental protection.
Decisions and Agreements:
- Collaboration: Parties agreed to work collectively to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
- Manifesto Sharing: Parties committed to sharing their election manifestos with AOSED.
- Capacity Building: Emphasis on enhancing the internal capacity of political parties through training.
- Youth Engagement: Assurance to consider actions beneficial for youth and future generations.
Conclusion: The meeting served as a platform for various political parties in Khulna to discuss and acknowledge the shared challenges and responsibilities related to environmental protection and climate change. The collective commitment and decision-making reflected a unified approach towards addressing the environmental concerns of the region.
