The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD) to tackle the impacts of climate change, build institutional capacity, and leverage international climate finance opportunities.

 The agreement was signed today at the ministry’s conference room. Baby Rani Karmakar, Joint Secretary (International Agencies and Cooperation Branch) of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, and Dr. Fazle Rabbi Sadeque Ahmed, Research and Policy Advisor at ICCCAD, represented their respective organisations.

 Presiding over the ceremony, Secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Md. Delwar Hossain noted that climate change poses a critical challenge to the fisheries and livestock sectors. He urged stakeholders to ensure the partnership goes beyond mere formality.

​"The activities under this agreement must deliver concrete contributions to the fisheries and livestock sectors," he said, calling on ministry officials and subordinate departments to maximise the training and technical support provided.

​ The secretary added that the initiative would open new avenues to counter climate vulnerabilities while accessing international collaboration and climate financing.

​ Under the MoU, ICCCAD will support the ministry, its departments, and research institutions in developing institutional capacity on national and international climate issues. ICCCAD will also assist in formulating project proposals to secure funding from international financial entities, including the Green Climate Fund (GCF).

​ Additionally, the partnership will provide technical assistance to mainstream climate change considerations in ministry policies, programmes, and operations, while strengthening participation and leadership in international forums and policy dialogues. ICCCAD will also conduct training sessions and provide necessary support to enhance the skills of ministry officials attending the UN Climate Change Conferences (COP).

​ Senior officials present at the signing included Md. Mir Hossain from the Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation, Nilufa Akter, Additional Secretary of the Ministry; Dr. Md. Khaled Kanak, Director General of the Department of Fisheries; Dr. Md. Latiful Islam, Director General of the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute; Dr. Md. Habibur Rahman, Chief of the Planning and Evaluation Cell at the Department of Livestock Services; and Sakib Huq, Managing Director of ICCCAD.