Highlighting the importance of private-sector engagement to build climate resilience, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed on Wednesday said the government is committed to incorporate the issue of disaster risk reduction into all national policies to promote safer investment and resilient market. Tofail made the remarks while addressing the opening ceremony of a two-day dialogue styled “First Bangladesh resilient dialogue of private sector’ aiming to help protect businesses from climatic disaster risks at a city hotel. UNDP Bangladesh, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia Pacific (UNESCAP), Business Initiative Leading Development (BUILD) and Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI) jointly organised the dialogue. “Once the Disaster victims in Bangladesh had to suffer a lot by loosing property and homesteads, but the situation has changed now, the chance of public sufferings caused by disasters has been reduced remarkably as we have built shelter centers. The government has taken various initiatives so that people can adapt with the impacts of disaster or calamities,” the minister said. He also said Bangladesh made significant economic progress, there is no shortage of food, and people are enjoying improved living standard. “Due the progress made in disaster management and climate resilience, our Prime Minister recently was recently awarded with the ‘Champions of the Earth’, prize, which is the highest honour extended by the UN”, Tofail said. BUILD Chairman Asif Ibrahim moderated the function. FBCCI President Abdul Matlub Ahmad, ICCB President Mahbubur Rahman, UNESCAP Regional Advisor on DRR Puji Pujiono, Director of UNESCAP Dr. Shamika Sirimanne and UNDP Country Director Pauline Tamesis also spoke on the occasion. In her address of welcome, Pauline Tamesis said the resilient businesses are not only essential for competing in the global market, but also to secure livelihoods and purchasing power of the people, which in turn has market benefits. BUILD Chairman Asif Ibrahim, also the chair of the Asia UNESCAP Asia- Pacific Sustainable Business Network on DRR, said Bangladeshi entrepreneurs are well-known for their innovation, which is our biggest asset to build a resilient nation. UNESCAP Director Dr. Shamika Sirimanne said sustainable development will not be achieved unless private sector is adequately protected and play a significant leadership in building resilience. Many national and international representatives are participating in the two-day dialogue supporting the ongoing strong collaboration on building resilience in Bangladesh. The dialogue will enhance cooperation among the stakeholders in three major areas: resilient business, which includes safe investment, establishment, production and market, business opportunity in disaster risk reduction through innovation and enabling environment for businesses to adopt disaster resilience approaches. UNESCAP Regional Director of DRR Puji Pujiono presented the keynote in the event.
