Vital to prepare workforce for emerging industries for just transition: ILO in meeting with Rizwana
The ILO shared its plan to initiate a Call to Action—a collective commitment by the government, employers, and workers' organisations—during the upcoming Just Transition Academy in Dhaka
It is of vital importance for Bangladesh to prepare the workforce for emerging industries through reskilling, upskilling, and inclusive social protection as economies shift towards greener models, International Labour Organization (ILO) Country Director Tuomo Poutiainen said today (21 April).
He made the remarks during a meeting with Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Ministry of Water Resources, at the Ministry's conference room in the Bangladesh Secretariat today, reads a ministry press statement.
The meeting with the ILO delegation focused on integrating just transition principles into Bangladesh's climate and development strategies, it adds.
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Poutiainen stressed that as economies shift towards greener models, it is vital to prepare the workforce for emerging industries through reskilling, upskilling, and inclusive social protection.
"Workers, employers, and governments must jointly shape this transition to ensure no one is left behind," he said.
Meanwhile, Adviser Rizwana reaffirmed the government's commitment to a fair, inclusive and sustainable transition.
She welcomed the ILO's role in bringing together stakeholders and emphasised the importance of embedding just transition in national policies, including updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and the upcoming Climate Prosperity Plan.
The ILO shared its plan to initiate a Call to Action—a collective commitment by the government, employers, and workers' organisations—during the upcoming Just Transition Academy in Dhaka.
The adviser appreciated the initiative and expressed support for ensuring Bangladesh's participation as a key signatory.
Both sides also discussed linking just transition frameworks with global supply chains, labour rights, and responsible investment.
The ILO expressed willingness to support the government through technical assistance and collaboration across UN agencies and national platforms.
The meeting concluded with a shared vision: a future where economic growth, environmental sustainability, and social equity advance hand-in-hand.
