Bangladesh, Brazil strengthen climate cooperation ahead of cop30
Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Water Resources Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has reaffirmed Bangladesh's commitment to work closely with Brazil for an ambitious outcome at the upcoming UNFCCC COP30, to be hosted in Belém, Pará, in November 2025.
Speaking at a reception marking Brazil's 203rd Independence Day, hosted by Ambassador Paulo Fernando Dias Feres in Dhaka on Sunday, the adviser underscored Brazil's role in shaping the global climate agenda.
Bangladesh is interested in exploring carbon markets under Article 6 to support mangrove conservation in the Sundarbans. However, carbon markets cannot replace climate finance commitments. Safeguards must ensure environmental integrity and fairness," Hasan said.
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She also emphasised Bangladesh's reform drive under Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus, citing inclusive governance, the rule of law, and accountability as core priorities. Hasan announced the finalization of four MoUs covering agriculture, defense, health, and sports, with 11 more under negotiation in ICT, disaster management, and trade dialogue.
Highlighting trade ties, she noted bilateral commerce had reached nearly $3 billion in 2024, with Brazil as Bangladesh's largest trading partner in Latin America. She outlined key requests for advancing economic collaboration, including greater access for Bangladeshi garments made with Brazilian cotton, the removal of anti-dumping tariffs on jute, simplification of pharmaceutical registration, and expansion of joint ventures.
The adviser praised Brazil's leadership in democracy, equity, climate action, and multilateralism, recalling its early recognition of Bangladesh in 1972.
Brazilian Ambassador Feres announced that Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus has been invited to the Leaders' Summit preceding COP30. He emphasized that COP30, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the Kyoto Protocol and the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement, will be a "decisive moment" to showcase Brazil's advances in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and environmental preservation.
The envoy also referenced growing bilateral cooperation, citing the Made in Bangladesh Expo 2025 in São Paulo—the first Bangladeshi trade fair in Latin America—and the opening of an Agricultural Affairs Office at the Brazilian Embassy in Dhaka, which aims to promote sustainable agribusiness ties.
The reception brought together diplomats, officials, business leaders, and representatives from civil society.
