Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan must retain access to concessional climate finance after graduating from least developed country (LDC) status, officials and climate advocates said at COP31 in Türkiye on Saturday, warning that funding restrictions could undermine adaptation efforts.
At a press conference in Antalya, speakers called for predictable, grant-based support linked to vulnerability rather than economic classification, alongside stronger regional cooperation to tackle disasters that cross national borders.
The event, organised by the Center for Participatory Research and Development (CPRD) in collaboration with Climate Justice Alliance–Bangladesh, brought together government representatives, climate experts and civil society organisations.
“Graduating from LDC status doesn’t mean we’ve graduated from climate vulnerability,” said CPRD Chief Executive Md Shamsuddoha, who moderated the discussion.
The three countries share a mountain-to-delta system in which melting Himalayan glaciers, changing monsoons and transboundary river flows create interconnected risks. Bangladesh also faces sea-level rise and salinity intrusion.
Climate Analytics South Asia Director and LDC Support Team Head Manjeet Dhakal said their shared geography demanded closer cooperation.
“What happens in one country doesn’t stop at the border,” he said, highlighting the region’s experience in adaptation, forest conservation and net-zero efforts.
Bangladesh Finance Ministry’s Economic Relations Division Joint Secretary Shah Abdul Saadi said increasingly unpredictable extreme weather and mounting debt-servicing obligations were putting pressure on public finances.
“Vulnerability is common, so responsibility should be shared,” he said, urging civil society organisations to strengthen cross-border advocacy and develop early warning systems that reach vulnerable communities.
Department of Environment Additional Director General Md Ziaul Haque said Bangladesh had proposed forming a regional coalition in 2024, with the three countries making joint submissions over the past two years.
“When a disaster happens upstream, it can directly affect Bangladesh downstream,” he said, calling for greater international support to address loss and damage.
Climate Action Network South Asia Programme Manager Ruchi Chaudhary said GDP and development status alone could not adequately measure vulnerability or the cost of protecting communities.
“Climate justice cannot come with expiry dates,” she said, urging greater involvement of local governments and communities in adaptation programmes.
Presenting the keynote paper, CPRD Programme Manager for Research and Advocacy Sheikh Nur Ataya Rabbi called for a common negotiating agenda reflecting the countries’ distinct circumstances and shared challenges.
The speakers outlined three priorities – keeping adaptation central to global climate negotiations, maintaining accessible funding after LDC graduation and strengthening regional cooperation on early warning systems, locally led initiatives and financial accountability.
They urged governments and international partners to ensure that economic progress does not cut off the support needed to protect vulnerable communities.
