Bangladesh should lead environmental conservation: BRAC University VC

Bangladesh should assume a leadership role in environmental conservation by drawing on its unique natural heritage, BRAC University Vice-Chancellor Professor Syed Ferhat Anwar has said.

He made the call at the opening of a two-day programme marking World Environment Day 2026 and World Nature Conservation Day 2026 at BRAC University's Merul Badda campus on 8 August, according to a press release.

Professor Syed Ferhat Anwar noted that Bangladesh is home to the world's largest mangrove forest and delta, the longest natural sea beach and the largest deep-sea submarine fan.

He said academic leadership was crucial to addressing environmental challenges through research, innovation and the empowerment of young people.

"BRAC University possesses an advantage that many other universities do not—one that we are currently leveraging: our sister organisation, BRAC. BRAC has a presence across the entire country," he said.

"We would love to capitalise on this advantage and help in any way possible to ensure we create a better world and a better Bangladesh."

The Bengal Fan, which virtually occupies the entire length of the Bay of Bengal, is considered the world's largest submarine fan. It stretches about 3,000 kilometres, spans 1,430 kilometres and has a sediment thickness of 16.5 kilometres.

Submarine fans are sediment deposits near continental margins in deep-marine environments and are considered potential areas for hydrocarbon exploration.

BRAC University's Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Research (C3ER) organised the programme with support from Mutual Trust Bank PLC (MTB).

The event marked World Environment Day, observed by the United Nations on 5 June, and World Nature Conservation Day, observed on 28 July.

Chief Guest State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shaikh Faridul Islam announced a government initiative to plant 250 million trees nationwide.

He said mapping was underway to identify suitable tree species for different regions.

Shaikh Faridul Islam also called for the elimination of wood-fired brick kilns and the replacement of single-use polythene with biodegradable alternatives.

He reaffirmed the government's commitment to conducting public health impact assessments before undertaking major development projects.

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Dr Md Saimum Parvez stressed the importance of the "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" principle and a circular economy in which waste is converted into usable resources.

He said the government, educational institutions, banks and civil society should work together to advance these objectives.

BRAC University Professor Emeritus Dr Ainun Nishat, also an adviser to C3ER, observed that Bangladesh was bearing the consequences of a climate crisis it had played little part in creating.

He said the country had signed between 40 and 50 international environmental agreements and called for stronger implementation of those commitments alongside greater domestic accountability.

BRAC University Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Arshad Mahmud Chowdhury emphasised the need for the government, academia, the private sector, and the public to work collectively to address climate and environmental challenges.

He also reaffirmed BRAC University's commitment to sustainable development.

MTB Managing Director and CEO Syed Mahbubur Rahman highlighted the bank's nature conservation initiatives under its corporate social responsibility programmes.

He said students must undertake such initiatives and lead Bangladesh in the future.

Economic Relations Division Additional Secretary and Wing Chief (UN Wing) AKM Sohel said Bangladesh was increasingly prioritising adaptation-focused climate financing and strengthening its access to global climate funds.

He encouraged young people to develop skills in climate finance, project design and proposal development so that they could contribute more effectively to the country's climate resilience efforts.

C3ER Director Dr Golam Rabbani delivered the keynote presentation, calling for greater emphasis on large-scale tree plantations, environmental restoration, greener and cleaner cities, and effective waste management.

Awards were presented to the top three participants in the She4Climate Fellowship Programme, an initiative supporting women's leadership in climate action.

The programme brought together policymakers, environmental experts, researchers, private-sector representatives and students for five technical sessions.

The sessions covered climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, nature-based solutions and youth engagement.

Held as BRAC University marks its 25th anniversary, the programme concluded with a collective commitment to strengthening environmental stewardship and advancing a more sustainable and climate-resilient Bangladesh.

The event contributed to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13 on climate action, SDG 14 on life below water, SDG 15 on life on land and SDG 17 on partnerships for the goals.