Thimphu, Bhutan, Broadcasting News Corporation: Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury stated that Bangladesh and Maldives will work together on climate diplomacy. He proposed joint eco-tourism programs combining Bangladesh’s beaches and Maldive’s islands. Additionally, he called for expanding employment opportunities for Bangladeshi workers in Maldives and ensuring their welfare. On Wednesday, June 26, during a side meeting at the South Asia Cooperative Environment Program (SACEP) conference in Thimphu, Bhutan, the Environment Minister made these appeals during discussions with Maldive’s Minister of Environment, Climate Change, and Technology, Thoriq Ibrahim. Maldive’s Minister Thoriq Ibrahim sought cooperation from Bangladesh in importing fruit, forest, and medicinal tree saplings and establishing nurseries. He also mentioned that the labor market in Maldives, which had been closed for a long time, has recently reopened for Bangladeshis, leading to an expected increase in the number of Bangladeshi workers. Furthermore, discussions were held on using Bangladesh’s geo-satellite to monitor sea level changes.
This collaborative effort between the two countries will play a crucial role in addressing climate change and expanding eco-tourism.