Coastal risk reduction: Foreign secretary insists on nature-based solutions

Foreign Secretary (Senior Secretary) of Bangladesh Ambassador Masud Bin Momen on Thursday insisted on nature-based solutions for coastal risk assessment and reduction.

In his concluding speech on the final day of the IORA Blue Carbon Hub think tank meeting on "Nature-based solutions for coastal risk reduction", he came up with the remarks.

Senior Secretary Masud appreciated Australia for becoming co-host with Bangladesh for arranging this meeting amid the trying times of pandemic, said a press release.  

He underscored the need to do modeling to understand the wave surges, its inundation and also the vulnerability of the coastal population including the socioeconomic impact of adverse events due to climate change.

Foreign Secretary also suggested to create a coastal green belt as part of a nature-based solution and to conduct research to explore the possibilities of Blue Carbon finance in the region.

Senior Secretary also highlighted the need for a long-term strategic plan on risk assessment and reduction considering nature-based solutions.

On the final day, three sessions on solutions and way forward were conducted.

The 3-day meeting successfully concluded with the participation of around hundred representatives and number of future programmes, projects related to nature-based solutions for coastal risk reduction were recommended.