Bangladesh faces funding challenges in tackling climate change: Salehuddin

Bangladesh is facing difficulties in securing the funds required to address the climate change crisis, Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed said today (8 September).

"Bangladesh needs around $29 billion to effectively combat climate-induced disasters but we are able to secure only a nominal amount," he said while inaugurating a three-day training workshop in Dhaka.

The workshop titled "Navigating Climate Finance: Media Reporting", was jointly organised by the Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) and the Economic Relations Division (ERD).

At the event, the adviser stressed that climate crisis management needs coordinated efforts from five key actors — scientists, policymakers, institutions, financiers, and the general public.

He stated that Bangladesh has shown leadership in disaster response but greater awareness is essential to scale up action. 

"Bangladesh is one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world. People in the coastal areas struggle day and night to survive. We must utilise their experience and coping capacity," Salehuddin said.
ERD Secretary Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky underlined the need to highlight Bangladesh's climate damages to secure access to global funds.

"We try to mobilise resources from climate funds but our stories of damages and vulnerabilities must reach international platforms—and here the role of journalists is crucial," he said.

Speaking at the event, Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam pointed to dengue outbreaks, rising floods in Sylhet, and maternal mortality as climate-linked impacts that are not being effectively communicated to the global community.

"Without telling these stories properly we cannot build strong cases for financing," he said.

PKSF Chairman Zakir Ahmed Khan presided over the event, where 60 journalists from various media outlets are participating in the training aimed at enhancing climate reporting.