Policymakers, researchers on water and climate change, environmentalists, technical experts and development practitioners at an international conference on water have underscored the need for wise use of water to ensure its availability for future generations.
“Water saves lives. However, we use more water than we need. We also misuse it. Since water is essential for survival, we must conserve it for the future generations. We have to use water wisely to ensure its availability for future generations. And measures must be taken now before it is too late,” they said.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the conference as the chief guest, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury said that climate change poses existential crisis, particularly impacting water, a vital element for humankind and all ecosystems. “Our challenge is to solve this problem faster than we create it. We can’t keep contributing to this crisis without effective solutions,” he added.
He also said, “We must use water wisely to ensure its availability for future generations. It is a global responsibility, transcending national boundaries.”
The minister inaugurated the two-day ‘9th International Water Conference-2024’ at a hotel in Dhaka city on Wednesday (January 24). ActionAid Bangladesh is organising the conference titled ‘River, Water and Climate Change: Creating Space for Resilience’.
Researchers, academics, policymakers, technical experts, development practitioners and climate activists from home and abroad joined the conference.
Country Director of ActionAid Bangladesh Farah Kabir delivered the address of welcome speech, while Professor Dr Imtiaz Ahmed of the Department of International Relations at Dhaka University presented the keynote paper. Australian Acting High Commissioner in Bangladesh Nardia Simpson and renowned economist Dr Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad also spoke at the event.
In his speech, Saber Hossain Chowdhury further said, “In Bangladesh, our first 100-day plan includes an extensive programme to address climate change effects. It has become crucial to form a multi-stakeholder platform involving the government, scientists, NGOs, and the private sector to find holistic solutions. Many promising initiatives and startups have emerged, but they often fade due to a lack of ownership by major stakeholders.”
He, however, said that his ministry is committed to piloting projects that address climate change.
Nardia Simpson said, “The role of diplomats and policymakers goes beyond ensuring climate justice. Climate change is a global challenge. Bangladesh is one of the vulnerable countries in this regard. However, the country has become a role model over climate change adaptation. We are working with the government in the agricultural sector and with different NGOs to improve the water governance in Bangladesh. We urge emerging leaders to come forward to battle the climate crisis.”
In her opening remarks, Farah Kabir said, “Despite its high risk from climate change, Bangladesh is doing a lot to tackle the issue. Now it is crucial to build a platform that brings different people together, sparks new ideas, and really focuses on what the community can do.”
She stressed the importance of the involvement of women and young people in managing water and rivers in Bangladesh.
On the first day of the conference, Chairperson of ActionAid International Bangladesh Society Ibrahim Khalil Al-Zayad said, “In Bangladesh, we have over 800 rivers. We see a problem where people are dispersed from their own land because of climate change. We see the rising tides, erratic rainfall patterns and parched land where communities are struggling. However, we also see the spirit of humankind, their resilience and that is what we are here for. This conference is a platform for sharing knowledge, forging partnership and igniting spark of innovation.”
In his keynote presentation, Professor Dr. Imtiaz Ahmed stated, “Geopolitics plays a major role in climate change. The planet-warming emissions generated during the first two months of the war in Gaza were higher than the annual carbon footprint of more than 20 of the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations. Climate futures need to be mainstreamed into every area, politically, economically, educationally, psychologically, and culturally.”
Dr Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad said, “Our population is rising and the water level is declining. When it comes to Bangladesh, we are at the bottom of three major river systems and we have no control over water, particularly during the dry season. On top of it, 92 per cent of water flowing through Bangladesh comes from outside. So, that is how vulnerable we are. Our coastal belts are very low as well. All these create huge challenges for the country to tackle the climate crisis.”
He added, “If we come to policies and actions, we have 26 policies and laws with respect to climate change or water management enacted by various ministries, but no ministry or agency knows what the contents of the policies are. The actions are not coordinated there. People, who are being affected needs to say their stories, otherwise, the real ground problems can never be solved.”
First Secretary and Deputy Head of Development Cooperation at Sweden Embassy Nayoka Martinez-Bäckström; scientist at Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) Mohammed Mofizur Rahman; council member at Waterkeeper Alliance Sharif Jamil; vice-chairman of BAPA Dr Nazrul Islam; secretary general of Riverine People Sheikh Rokon; director at Center for Sustainable Development of ULAB Professor Dr. Samiya Selim; executive vice president at Communications of BRAC Bank Ekram Kabir; director at Centre for Climate Justice Bangladesh M Hafizul Islam Khan; manager (Just Energy Transition) of ActionAid Bangladesh Abul Kalam Azad; and Assistant Professor in Human Geography & Environment at University of York Anika N Haque attended and presented papers on the first day of the water conference.
This year, the conference emphasises on 10 thematic areas- Understanding the nexus of climate change and rights of rivers; Climate change and rivers: Risk and vulnerabilities; Development, inclusion and resilience; Water, river, and urban resilience: Infrastructure and ecosystem; River, resilience, and people; Rights of the river: Integrated basin management; Multilateral water cooperation and governance; Living museums and community resilience; Water and river: Engagement of young people; Sustainable future and Crafting technical solution.
