Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter has urged the Department of Fisheries to adopt more sustainable initiatives while maintaining active international cooperation.
She expressed hope that Bangladesh will take a more prominent role on global platforms, including Brazil, in the near future.
Speaking as the chief guest at the “TERMINAL WORKSHOP: Community-based climate resilient fisheries and aquaculture development in Bangladesh” at Hotel Intercontinental on Wednesday, she stressed that the success of a project is measured not only by its completion but by achieving objectives, evaluating outcomes, and planning future steps, according to a press release.
Farida Akhter highlighted the ongoing threat of climate change, noting its escalating impacts. “Developed countries’ failure to curb fossil fuel use has kept carbon emissions high. This means we must strengthen both adaptation and mitigation measures,” she said.
Referring to the vulnerable southern coastal regions, she praised local communities’ resilience. “The people of Bangladesh, through their strength and indomitable spirit, have shown themselves to be naturally climate-resilient,” she said.
She also stressed the need to expand climate-resilient fisheries in areas such as Sunamganj, Habiganj, and Bagerhat, while conserving shrimp (Bagda and Galda) biodiversity and enhancing local livelihoods. She emphasised the importance of impact studies to ensure both short-term and long-term sustainable results.
The workshop was attended by Valentine Achancho, country director of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) in Bangladesh, and chaired by Dr Md Abdur Rouf, director general of the Department of Fisheries.
