The Government of Bangladesh, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has launched a new project to promote low-carbon urban development in Dhaka, Chattogram and other major cities.
Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the five-year initiative aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and foster sustainable urban growth through increased investment in energy efficiency, renewable energy, and waste-to-energy solutions.
Entitled "Promoting Energy-Related Low Carbon Urban Development (LCUD) in Bangladesh", the project will be implemented by the Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA) under the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources (MoPEMR).
Launched ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30), the signing ceremony took place at the Economic Relations Division (ERD) conference room in Dhaka. Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky, Secretary of the Economic Relations Division; Nur Ahmed, Additional Secretary of the Power Division; and Stefan Liller, Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh, signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations.
"This project will build vital knowledge and capacity for better waste management and clean energy solutions in our cities," said Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky. "We must now work together to bridge gaps, manage resources wisely, and extend these efforts beyond Dhaka and Chattogram to ensure cleaner, healthier urban living for all."
UNDP Resident Representative, Stefan Liller, reaffirmed the organisation's partnership with the Government of Bangladesh in promoting sustainable urbanisation. "UNDP has worked alongside the government on urban programming for over fifteen years," he said. "This project adds a crucial new dimension, advancing the kind of sustainable, low-carbon urban development the country urgently needs."
Nur Ahmed noted that the project would catalyse investment and innovation in low-carbon infrastructure, setting an example for other urban centres. "This initiative focuses on key areas that will strengthen resilience through better infrastructure, and environmental management," he said.
Among others, A K M Sohel, Additional Secretary and Wing Chief (United Nations), ERD; Sardar M Asaduzzaman, Assistant Resident Representative, UNDP Bangladesh; Muzaffar Ahmad, Chairman, SREDA; and Engineer Md Mujibur Rahman, Director (Deputy Secretary), Renewable Energy Development, SREDA, attended the ceremony.
Through strategic collaboration and innovative solutions, the LCUD project aims to create a replicable model for climate-resilient, energy-efficient cities, contributing to Bangladesh's transition towards a greener and more sustainable future.