The government of Bangladesh, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and stakeholders at a dissemination forum today discussed the tools for designing climate-smart development projects.
Programming Division of the Planning Commission and the ADB jointly organised the dissemination forum on “Establishing a Climate Risk Screening System for Mainstreaming Climate Change Adaptation into National Development Budgeting Activities” at a city Hotel, an ADB press release said.
The event showcased and discussed the tools designed under an ADB technical assistance – ‘Action on Climate Change in South Asia (TA 8572 REG)’.
Planning Division Senior Secretary Md Ziaul Islam, Planning Commission members Mohammad Asif-uz-Zaman and Shamima Nargis, Chief of Programming Division Md Sayeedul Haque were, among others, present at the meeting.
ADB Country Director for Bangladesh Manmohan Parkash spoke as the guest of honor. About 90 government officials, academics, researchers, development partners, NGO representatives and civil society members participated in the event.
Speaking on the occasion, Manmohan Parkash said: “Bangladesh is highly vulnerable to climate risks. The tools developed with ADB-assistance will help make right climate-smart investments, leading to optimal use of public resources”.
The project’s central output is a customised climate risk and vulnerability assessment tool and system aimed at guiding government agencies, departments and ministries in incorporating climate change adaptation and mitigation options in project design.
The tool will also help the Planning Commission ensure that public sector investment projects in the Annual Development Programme are resilient to potential damages due to climate change.
The project also tested the climate risk and vulnerability assessment tool on three agriculture and water resources projects in Barishal, Rajshahi, and Sylhet, and conducted trainings for government officials on CRVA and cost-benefit analysis of climate change adaptation.
ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty.
Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members – 48 from the region. In 2017, the ADB operations totaled US$ 32.2 billion, including US$ 11.9 billion in co-financing.
