National Coastal Declaration
Through the National Coastal Declaration 2025, we propose a common direction towards a just, resilient and sustainable future
For the first time in Bangladesh, the "National Coastal Conference 2025" was held in Dhaka on 13 and 14 December 2025. It brought together policymakers, government officials, academics, researchers, journalists, civil society representatives, youth, indigenous peoples, fishers, farmers, workers, women and development organisations working on coastal issues.
Participatory Research and Action Network PRAAN organised the conference. Co-organisers were ActionAid Bangladesh, Young Power in Social Action (YPSA), NGO Forum on ADB, World Resources Institute (WRI), Karmojibi Nari, Kendrio Krishak Maitree, COAST Foundation, Coastal Development Partnership (CDP), Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network (CLEAN), Climate Action at Local Level (CALL), Christian Aid Bangladesh, Christian Commission for Development in Bangladesh (CCDB), Gandhi Ashram Trust, Jago Nari, Disaster Forum, Noakhali Rural Development Society (NRDS), Prantojon Trust, Fair Finance Bangladesh, Bangladesh Food Security Network (KHANI), Bread for the World, Local Environment Development and Agricultural Research Society (LEDARS), Shariatpur Development Society (SDS), Center for Environment and Participatory Research (CEPR) and Helvetas Bangladesh.
At Bangladesh's first National Coastal Conference, held in Dhaka on 13 and 14 December 2025, we, representing diverse coastal stakeholders, agreed on the following strategic priorities through six parallel and two plenary sessions.
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We have agreed that the coast is a strategic national zone spanning 19 districts and supporting about 43.5 million people. It contributes to food production, agriculture, fisheries, transport, trade, energy, industry, tourism and climate adaptation. Yet coastal people's rights, safety and quality of life have not been ensured in proportion to the coast's contribution to the national economy.
We have agreed that coastal Bangladesh faces the country's most severe climate impacts. Cyclones, storm surges, erosion, salinity, water shortages, loss of farmland and pressure on fisheries are worsening poverty, food insecurity, health risks, displacement and migration. Women, children, older people, persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and poor communities are affected disproportionately.
We have further agreed that unplanned infrastructure, fragmented projects, weak governance and environmentally harmful investment are damaging coastal ecosystems and weakening land and resource rights, livelihoods and social stability. Structural changes in national planning and policy are therefore essential.
We examined coastal planning, natural resources, participation, food security, health, employment, energy, disaster management, climate adaptation, social protection, finance, infrastructure and water management. We also documented local experiences, adaptation practices and community-led solutions, highlighting the need to connect community knowledge with laws, budgets, planning and investment.
Based on this shared understanding, we have agreed that coastal Bangladesh needs a distinct, integrated and human rights-based policy framework. Through the National Coastal Declaration 2025, we propose a common direction towards a just, resilient and sustainable future.
27 Calls for Action from the National Coastal Declaration
1. Integrated Coastal Governance
The coast is a complex system linking society, the economy and the environment. Pressure on land, forests, mangroves, estuaries, wetlands, beaches or marine ecosystems can disrupt the whole system and threaten lives and livelihoods. Recognising this interdependent reality, it is proposed that the coast be considered an integrated social, economic, and environmental system in policy frameworks.
2. Information-Based Policy
Information gaps and fragmented analysis in coastal policy, law, investment and budgeting create long-term structural risks. At the same time, the generational knowledge, adaptation experiences, and indigenous techniques of local communities have not been adequately reflected in policymaking processes. It is proposed that an evidence-based policy framework be established through regular surveys, research, and mapping, combining scientific information with local knowledge.
3. Region-Specific Planning
Fragmented project-based approaches in coastal development have failed to consider the geographical diversity, ecological differences, and varying risk profiles of coastal regions. The south-western, central-southern and south-eastern coasts require distinct approaches. In this context, it is proposed that a long-term and integrated National Coastal Master Plan be developed, including regional zoning that incorporates mangrove forests, estuaries, and wetlands.
4. Accountable Financing
Coastal development suffers from inadequate funding, delayed releases, uneven sectoral allocations and weak expenditure tracking. It is proposed that a reformed financing framework be introduced in the national budget, including a dedicated structure for coastal areas, predictable fund disbursement, expenditure monitoring, and accountable oversight mechanisms.
5. Access to Climate Finance
Coastal Bangladesh already faces severe economic and non-economic climate loss and damage, but access to international finance remains limited. Coastal regions should receive direct access to the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage, the Green Climate Fund and other climate finance mechanisms.
6. Responsible Investment
Industrial, tourism and infrastructure investments can cause long-term economic, social and environmental harm when they exceed ecological carrying capacity. Short-term profit can multiply future risks and costs. Considering this reality, it is proposed that environmental, social and governance (ESG) assessments be adopted as ethical, scientific, and economic standards for decision-making.
7. Identification of Disadvantaged Regions
With rising sea levels and coastal erosion, permanent infrastructure and industrial investments in coastal regions are increasingly exposed to high risks. International experience shows that phased withdrawal of investments from high-risk areas can reduce future losses. It is proposed that coastal retreat zones be identified as part of a long-term risk management strategy.
8. Sustainable Tourism
Unplanned tourism damages vulnerable ecosystems and adds pressure on local livelihoods. Unregulated activity in sensitive areas weakens the region's ecological and economic foundations. It is therefore proposed that tourism be regulated and that environmentally responsible, community-centred tourism management systems be introduced.
9. Forward-Looking and Risk-Sensitive Investment
Economic zones, industrial areas and large coastal investments have lasting effects on land use, livelihoods and the environment. Ignoring local realities can increase social conflict. Therefore, it is proposed that coastal investment planning consider environmental sensitivity, social impacts, and local livelihoods as fundamental preconditions.
10. Participatory Governance
Coastal governance is weakened by poor coordination, unclear institutional responsibilities and limited participation. Sustainable implementation requires active local government and community involvement. In this context, it is proposed to ensure inter-ministerial coordination, institutional clarity, accountability, and meaningful participation of women, youth, and marginalised groups.
11. Equitable Access to Natural Resources
Ambiguities in ownership, use, and access rights over coastal land and water increase inequality and conflict. International experience shows that adaptation cannot succeed without clear rights. In this context, it is proposed to establish transparent and equitable rights structures over land and natural resources.
12. Priority of Women
Women face disproportionate climate risks, but their needs receive limited attention in land rights, healthcare, safety and finance. In this context, it is proposed to ensure women's rights to land and resources, health and safety protections in climate risk contexts, and gender-responsive priorities in climate finance.
13. Indigenous Peoples' Rights
Coastal indigenous peoples and ethnic minority communities have long faced marginalisation, while their traditional land and resource rights are under growing pressure. In this context, it is proposed to incorporate the rights of indigenous and minority communities in coastal policies in accordance with international standards.
14. Integrated Labour Market Framework
The coastal economy includes agriculture, fisheries, maritime transport, ports, industry, informal work and migrant labour. Yet labour rights are addressed separately and links among these sectors remain unclear. In this context, it is proposed that the coastal labour market be considered as an integrated framework.
15. Urban Coastal Planning
Coastal towns and cities face rising climate risks, migration pressure and infrastructure vulnerability. Municipal services, drainage and informal settlements have received limited policy attention. In this context, it is proposed that urban coastal areas be considered as separate planning units.
16. Quality and Sustainable Health Management
Weak health systems increase climate and disaster risks and hinder human development. In this context, it is proposed to strengthen the three-tier healthcare structure consisting of community clinics, union-level facilities, and upazila-level health services.
17. Integrated Disaster Management
Treating disaster management only as emergency response increases long-term losses. Without systematic data and recognition of economic and non-economic losses, adaptation remains incomplete. In this context, it is proposed to implement integrated disaster management systems including early warning, rehabilitation, and data-based monitoring.
18. Maritime Perspective
Ocean and coastal economies become vulnerable when growth exceeds ecological limits. Conservation of blue carbon and restoration of ecosystems can create new opportunities for climate finance. In this context, it is proposed to adopt an integrated national maritime perspective.
19. Planned Migration
Climate migration is both a human rights and development issue, while unplanned displacement can create social crises. In this context, it is proposed that planned, voluntary, and human rights-based relocation strategies be adopted as policy options for climate adaptation.
20. Emphasis on Local Research
Limited local research and community monitoring weaken policy design and implementation. Without local data, policies cannot remain effective. In this context, it is proposed that local research institutions and monitoring systems be placed at the centre of policymaking processes.
21. Step-by-Step Implementation
Long-term goals require clear short-, medium- and long-term phases. Without timelines and priorities, implementation is delayed. In this context, it is proposed to develop a phased implementation roadmap.
22. Legal Harmonisation
Conflicts among existing laws, policies and plans weaken coastal governance and create implementation problems. Without clear identification of where legal reforms or new laws are necessary, policies cannot be effective. In this context, it is proposed to review existing laws and policies, ensure coherence, and undertake necessary legal reforms.
23. Risk Insurance Framework
Coastal livelihoods lack adequate protection against climate risks. Without agricultural, fisheries and disaster insurance or public risk pools, affected people can fall into long-term poverty. In this context, it is proposed to establish insurance and risk-sharing frameworks for coastal risk management.
24. Technology-Enabled Management
The potential of technology and innovation in coastal management remains underused. Without digital forecasting systems, remote sensing, decision-support tools, and climate technologies, risk management remains limited. In this context, it is proposed to adopt technology- and innovation-based coastal management frameworks.
25. Polluter Pays Principle
Environmental liability must be clearly assigned so industrial polluters cannot avoid responsibility. Failure to hold polluters liable weakens environmental protection. It is therefore proposed that the polluter-pays principle be adopted to determine environmental liability and ensure environmental justice.
26. Parliamentary Oversight
Political accountability must extend beyond administrative agencies to support long term policy implementation. It is therefore proposed that parliamentary committees establish regular review and political oversight mechanisms.
27. Coastal Master Plan and Annual Reporting
Bangladesh should adopt an integrated, long-term Coastal Zone Master Plan reflecting geographical diversity, climate risks and social and economic links. An annual "State of the Bangladesh Coast" report should track changing conditions, development, crises and policy performance, strengthening evidence-based planning, accountability, coordination and integrated management.
