Bangladesh pavilion springs to life after three silent days at COP30

The Bangladesh pavilion at COP30 finally opened its doors on Thursday after remaining deserted for three days, following the delayed arrival of a senior bureaucrat whose absence had stalled all scheduled activities.

The revival comes amid mounting criticism after The Business Standard reported on Wednesday that the pavilion built at a cost of several million taka had stood empty since the global climate summit began on 10 November, even as pavilions from other countries hosted packed events featuring civil society groups, youth networks and international experts.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change had earlier insisted that no programme could begin until a formal inauguration by Additional Secretary Mohammad Navid Saifullah, who only arrived on Thursday morning.

Saifullah chaired the pavilion's first session, titled "Heat Stress in Dhaka: Climate-Resilient Solutions", which began at 10:30am local time. Fisheries and Livestock Affairs Adviser Farida Akhter attended as the chief guest. By midday, the pavilion previously empty was bustling with delegates, observers and visitors.

According to the ministry's schedule, Bangladesh will now hold events until 20 November, closing the pavilion a day before COP30 formally ends on 21 November.

This means Bangladesh will utilise only eight of the summit's 12 days for activities, despite significant public spending.

Criticism over cancellations and red tape

The delayed opening triggered frustration among youth organisers and civil society groups whose sessions were cancelled earlier in the week. A youth-led event titled "Local to Global: Youth Inclusion in the Loss and Damage Framework," jointly arranged by Daffodil University, YOUNGO and YOUCAN, was among those scrapped.

Saifullah later told The Business Standard, "I have not instructed any of my team members to withhold or cancel any event till my arrival."

However, senior officials had earlier insisted that programmes could not begin without his presence.

Environment Secretary Dr Farhina Ahmed, who did not attend COP30 due to "national priorities," said the delegation faced last-minute changes but assured that all activities would proceed as planned.

Absence at key negotiations raises questions

The controversy over the pavilion comes as Bangladesh's participation inside negotiation rooms also drew scrutiny.

On 11 November, the country's seats remained empty during key plenary sessions of the CMP, CMA, SBI and SBSTA. During Gender Action Plan discussions, Bangladesh's designated focal point, Roslina Parvin, was absent despite being in Belém.

Bangladesh was also missing from a major joint plenary where Nepali expert Manjeet Dhakal delivered a statement on behalf of Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal- highlighting climate vulnerability and calling for global action.

At a side event on regional climate diplomacy hosted at the Pakistan pavilion, Bangladeshi official Ziaul Haque was listed as a speaker but failed to attend, leaving his seat empty. Only one internal coordination meeting was held at the Bangladesh pavilion over two days, with many delegates not participating.