Bangladesh Seeks Funding, Technology for Biodiversity

Bangladesh has called for accessible financing, technology transfer and stronger institutional and individual capacities to help developing countries conserve biodiversity. The country’s terrestrial, inland water, coastal and marine ecosystems support around 14,000 diverse species.

However, climate change, habitat degradation and growing pressure on natural resources are threatening biodiversity. Bangladesh says stronger international financial and technological support is essential to turn global commitments into practical conservation measures.

The 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP17) is taking place in Yerevan, Armenia, on October 28, 2026. Dr Fahmida Khanam, head of the Bangladesh delegation and acting secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, made the call at the conference’s high-level segment.

In a statement delivered on behalf of Bangladesh at the Aragats Plenary Hall in Yerevan on Tuesday evening, she outlined the country’s biodiversity challenges, conservation initiatives and implementation priorities.

Growing Pressure on Biodiversity

Dr Khanam said Bangladesh’s terrestrial, inland water, coastal and marine ecosystems host around 14,000 diverse species. Climate change, habitat degradation and increasing pressure on natural resources are placing these ecosystems under growing threat.

Biodiversity loss in coastal areas, along with the degradation of mangrove forests and wetlands, is increasing social and environmental risks. Indigenous peoples and local communities are also facing the consequences.

National Targets and 250 Million Trees

Bangladesh is prioritizing participation from government institutions and all sections of society in implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Under the framework, the country has submitted 23 national targets covering 107 actions.

The planned measures include integrating biodiversity into development planning, restoring ecosystems, expanding protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures, and identifying invasive alien species.

Dr Khanam also highlighted a government initiative to plant and maintain 250 million new trees by 2031 using an ecosystem-based approach. The programme is expected to contribute to biodiversity restoration and conservation while supporting local climate conditions and human well-being.

She stressed that biodiversity conservation is closely linked to climate resilience, preventing land degradation, food security and sustainable development. These areas therefore require coordinated rather than isolated action.

Genetic Resources and Capacity Challenges

The statement said Bangladesh has been reviewing and reorganizing its existing institutional structures and government coordination mechanisms based on its experience implementing the Nagoya Protocol since 2023.

Training and capacity development are essential to implementing activities related to digital sequence information (DSI) on genetic resources and synthetic biology, as well as monitoring the country’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.

Bangladesh identified limited domestic financing and capacity gaps at both institutional and individual levels as major challenges.

Call for Accessible Finance and Technology Transfer

Citing Articles 20 and 21 of the Convention on Biological Diversity, Bangladesh urged developed countries to make positive decisions on financing and technology transfer.

The country sought support for strengthening institutional and individual capacities, generating scientific data, implementing monitoring systems, conserving native species and integrating biodiversity into mainstream development activities.

The statement stressed that funding should be accessible through simplified procedures while ensuring national ownership and the recipient country’s ability to determine its priorities.

Bangladesh also emphasized financing for relevant organizations to strengthen regional and transboundary cooperation and accelerate regional initiatives.

It called for better coordination among biodiversity conservation, land degradation prevention and climate action. The country also urged greater alignment between monitoring and reporting systems under multilateral environmental agreements.

Shared Goal for 2050

Dr Khanam said Bangladesh was ready to work with all parties to achieve the shared goal of living in harmony with nature by 2050. She expressed hope that the Yerevan conference would become an effective milestone in moving from international commitments to implementation.

Ministers, senior government officials, representatives of international and regional organizations, climate experts and media professionals from various countries are participating in the conference.

//DBTech/RTA/MPN/FOE//