Cox’s Bazar hosts Climate-Smart Agro Solutions Expo 2025

The second and final day of the Climate-Smart Agro Solutions Exposition 2025 concluded at Hotel Seagull, Cox's Bazar, reaffirming strong commitments to green growth, climate-smart entrepreneurship, and resilient agribusiness across Bangladesh's coastal regions.

Organised by Innovision Consulting Private Limited under the Improving Skills and Economic Opportunities for Women and Youth in Cox's Bazar (ISEC) project of the International Labour Organization (ILO), with support from Global Affairs Canada and the Government of the Netherlands, the closing session brought together policymakers, development partners, private sector leaders, and grassroots entrepreneurs for discussions on scaling inclusive and climate-resilient business models.

Over two days, the exposition served as a high-impact platform for knowledge exchange, innovation showcasing, and market linkages among farmers, youth-led enterprises, women entrepreneurs, technology providers, and financing institutions. More than 300 participants and 25 exhibitors representing sectors such as aquaculture, renewable energy, agricultural technology, seaweed and salt value chains, climate finance, and eco-innovation took part in panel discussions, networking sessions, and live demonstrations.

In his opening remarks, Max Tuñón, Country Director of ILO Bangladesh, highlighted the progress made in Cox's Bazar through inclusive market development and sustainable livelihood initiatives. "These initiatives are connecting local producers with financial institutions, opening pathways for small farmers and seaweed and salt producers to expand markets, increase income, and adopt sustainable business models—strengthening value chains and promoting inclusive growth," he said.

Md Rubaiyath Sarwar, Managing Director of Innovision Consulting, noted that Innovision will deepen its engagement in coastal resilience programming and expand partnerships to scale climate-smart enterprise models across vulnerable regions.

Pearl Wierenga, First Secretary – Development (Rohingya) at the High Commission of Canada to Bangladesh, reaffirmed Canada's support for empowering women and youth through green skills and inclusive market opportunities.

Md Obaidur Rahman, Secretary, Ministry of Industries, underscored the government's focus on climate-resilient industrial growth and the need for stronger collaboration between public and private actors to advance circular, environmentally responsible business practices.

David Bugden, Principal Coordinator, Inter Sector Coordination Group (ISCG), said linking humanitarian efforts with sustainable market opportunities is essential to improving livelihoods for both host and displaced communities.

Two panel discussions—"Climate-Smart Futures: Resilient Agriculture Practices for Cox's Bazar" and "Markets, Innovation, and the Future of Agricultural Value Chains"—focused on advancing decent work, gender-responsive climate solutions, and inclusive entrepreneurship across coastal Bangladesh.

In her closing remarks, Ruchika Bahl, Chief Technical Advisor and Head of ILO Project Office, Cox's Bazar, said, "This Expo marks the culmination of two years of sustained effort under the ISEC project. It has built strong foundations for inclusive market development, skills enhancement, and climate-smart entrepreneurship."

The Climate-Smart Agro Solutions Exposition 2025 concluded with renewed optimism and actionable commitments to advance inclusive, sustainable, and climate-resilient livelihoods in coastal Bangladesh.