Bangladesh's pavilion stands empty at COP30 despite millions spent
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change reportedly spent several million taka to set up the pavilion, but no events were held after the conference opened on 10 November.
While pavilions from around the world bustled with discussions and events at the COP30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil, Bangladesh's pavilion remained largely empty, awaiting a formal inauguration by an absent senior bureaucrat.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change reportedly spent several million taka to set up the pavilion, but no events were held after the conference opened on 10 November. Officials said it would only be inaugurated by Mohammad Navid Saifullah, Additional Secretary (Climate Change Wing), who had yet to arrive.
Even as dozens of countries hosted back-to-back events featuring Civil Society Networks (CSOs), youth networks, experts, and civil society groups, Bangladesh's pavilion stayed closed.
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"Our Additional Secretary sir will come; he will officially inaugurate the pavilion, then the programme will start," said Mirza Shakhar Ali, Director of International Convention at the Department of Environment and one of Bangladesh's leading delegates, when asked why the venue remained unused.
Organizers of a youth event titled "Local to Global: Youth Inclusion in the Loss and Damage Framework", jointly arranged by Daffodil University and two youth organisations, YOUNGO and YOUCAN, said they were asked to cancel their session scheduled for Wednesday due to the pending inauguration.
"We got confirmation through official mail before coming to COP30," said moderator Jasmina Sabatina. "Now the authorities are requesting us to cancel the programme on 12 November."
Several international experts, including Harjeet Singh, Global Engagement Director of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, had been invited to the event. "I was invited to speak at the Bangladesh pavilion, but the event was cancelled because it hasn't been inaugurated," Singh confirmed.
On-site observation over two days found the pavilion largely deserted, with no events listed in the official COP30 calendar until 13 November. Youth organizers were reportedly turned away by officials, including Ziaul Haque, Additional Director General at the Department of Environment, and seen in tears outside the pavilion.
"They can arrange it on another day," Haque was overheard telling an organizer, who replied that rescheduling was impossible due to her international guests' tight schedules.
Mohammad Navid Saifullah denied the allegations. "I have not instructed any of my team members to withhold or cancel any event till my arrival," he said.
Dr Farhina Ahmed, Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, told The Business Standard: "We had some last-minute changes in the Bangladesh delegation. The Hon'ble Adviser and I could not join COP30 due to pressing national priorities. A new Head of Delegation and leadership team will be arriving soon to continue our planned activities."
"We remain confident that everything will proceed as per our original plan. Your continued cooperation, feedback, and suggestions are always welcome," she added.
Officials familiar with the delegation's arrangements said each delegate's travel to COP30 cost between Tk 4 to 7 lakh in airfare alone, plus accommodation and logistical expenses. The pavilion itself reportedly cost several million taka to design and build, though officials kept expenditure details private.
When asked about the costs, Mirza Shawkat Ali, Dr. Farhina Ahmed, and Mohammad Navid Saifullah declined to comment. Dharitri Kumar Sarkar, Joint Secretary at the Ministry, also chose not to comment.
Bangladesh's presence at key negotiations appeared minimal. On 11 November, plenary sessions of CMP (meeting of the parties to the Kyoto Protocol), CMA (meeting of the parties to the Paris Agreement), SBI (Subsidiary Body for Implementation), and SBSTA (Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice) saw no Bangladeshi delegates in attendance, leaving the country's seat visibly empty.
During the Gender Action Plan discussions, Roslina Parvin, the ministry's designated focal point, was absent despite being in Belém. In contrast, delegates Ziaul Haque, Professor Mizan R. Khan, and Professor Dr. AKM Saiful Islam attended the LDC coordination meeting later that day. Over the two days, only one coordination meeting took place at the Bangladesh pavilion, with many delegates not participating.
Observers, CSOs, and youth participants expressed frustration that, despite heavy spending on its pavilion and delegation logistics, Bangladesh had failed to ensure meaningful participation.
"This pavilion should have been a space to showcase Bangladesh's leadership in adaptation and resilience," said a young delegate who requested anonymity. "Instead, it's become a symbol of bureaucratic rigidity."
As of Tuesday evening, the pavilion remained unused, awaiting its absent chief guest, while other delegations pressed ahead with climate negotiations.
Farida Akhter, Adviser to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, was scheduled to arrive on Wednesday; however, this year the Chief Adviser and Environment Adviser did not attend COP30.
