Bangladesh, IOM sign €1.125m climate mobility project agreement
The Government of Bangladesh and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) signed an agreement on Thursday to implement a three-year, €1.125 million European Union-funded project aimed at strengthening climate mobility governance, institutional capacity and regional cooperation across South Asia.
The Economic Relations Division (ERD) of the Ministry of Finance and IOM Bangladesh signed the agreement for the project, titled "Promoting a Comprehensive Approach to Climate Mobility in South Asian Countries".
Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky, Secretary of the Economic Relations Division, and Dr Laura Tomm Bonde, Chief of Mission of IOM Bangladesh, signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations.
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The project aims to strengthen climate mobility data and information systems, expand research and knowledge exchange, promote diaspora engagement in climate action, enhance community resilience and foster collaboration among South Asian countries in addressing climate-related displacement and migration.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky highlighted the Government of Bangladesh's growing commitment to addressing the complex challenges posed by climate-induced human mobility.
He emphasised the importance of integrating climate mobility into national development planning, disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation strategies to strengthen resilience and protect vulnerable communities.
The Economic Relations Division secretary also commended IOM for its continued support in strengthening migration governance, generating evidence for informed policymaking, assisting vulnerable populations and promoting safe, orderly and regular migration in line with Bangladesh's development priorities.
He expressed confidence that the initiative would reinforce institutional capacity, improve knowledge and data systems, facilitate evidence-based policymaking and advance regional cooperation.
Dr Laura Tomm Bonde thanked the Government of Bangladesh, particularly the Economic Relations Division, for its continued partnership.
She also expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for its guidance and collaboration and acknowledged the European Union for its financial support for the initiative.
She further thanked representatives of the participating ministries and agencies for their continued engagement.
The Government of Bangladesh and IOM reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthening the country's preparedness for climate-related mobility challenges.
They expressed confidence that the project would contribute significantly to advancing Bangladesh's climate mobility agenda while creating new opportunities for regional learning and cooperation across South Asia.
The ceremony was attended by AKM Sohel, Additional Secretary and Wing Chief of the United Nations Wing at the Economic Relations Division; Dr Kazi Shahjahan, Joint Secretary of the Economic Relations Division; Fahmida Huq Khan, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; Md Rajibul Alam, Senior Assistant Secretary of the Economic Relations Division; Ashfaqur Rahman Khan, National Programme Officer at IOM Bangladesh; and Dr SM Morshed, Government Liaison Expert at IOM.
Representatives of relevant ministries and partner organisations also attended the ceremony.
