Local voices must be prioritised in tackling climate risks: Rizwana

Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, has emphasised the need to prioritise water resource management, disaster preparedness, and forest and wildlife conservation while implementing the National Adaptation Plan (NAP).
She noted that the plan should not remain a mere technical or administrative document but must incorporate the perspectives of local communities.
She made the remarks at a meeting held at the Water Development Board building in the capital's Panthapath today (4 May), reads a press release issued by the ministry.
The meeting focused on the Locally Led Adaptation Framework (LLAF) and programmatic approaches to NAP implementation, with participation from representatives of the Ministry of Environment, CEGIS, and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The adviser stated that Locally Led Adaptation (LLA) is an effective approach to addressing the impacts of climate change. By valuing local realities, needs, and capacities, it is possible to ensure sustainable adaptation, she said.
Participants at the meeting stressed the importance of developing a coordinated and inclusive action plan for the implementation of LLAF and NAP. They also expressed their commitment to working together in the future.