WB to provide US$ 300m for Clean Air Project: Rizwana

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan today said the World Bank will provide US$ 300 million assistance for the Bangladesh Clean Air Project (BCAP).

This clean air initiative is going to be taken to strengthen air quality management and reduce emissions from key sectors, she said.

The environment adviser shared the information following a high-level meeting with Martin Raiser, vice-president of the World Bank South Asia Region, and Abdoulaye Seck, World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh.

The meeting was held at the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change at Bangladesh Secretariat here.

Rizwana, also the water resources adviser, said the project will be funded by an IDA credit, along with a potential grant for clean cooking initiatives as part of the National Air Quality Management Plan.

During the meeting, she also sought the World Bank’s assistance in waste management and the restoration of Dhaka’s canals to create a “blue network.”

She mentioned about the possibility of support for a “Loss and Damage Fund” as well as aid in implementing the National Adaptation Plan (NAP).

The adviser highlighted the government’s strong commitment to environmental protection and sustainable development.

She stressed the need for taking integrated approaches to water resource management and climate change mitigation.

World Bank Vice-President Martin Raiser commended Bangladesh’s efforts to implement progressive environmental policies and affirmed the Bank’s support in aligning these efforts with global best practices.

WB Bangladesh Country Director Abdoulaye Seck emphasised the importance of international collaboration and strategic investments to achieve long-term sustainability goals.

The secretary and additional secretary of the environment ministry and senior officials from both the ministry and the World Bank were present at the meeting.

The meeting concluded with both sides committing to deeper cooperation on environmental governance, climate resilience, and water resource management, with a mutual goal of working towards a sustainable future for Bangladesh. (BSS)