The University of Dhaka (DU) and Stockholm University of Sweden, in cooperation with the Clean Air Fund, will jointly organise a policy dialogue on Black Carbon and other Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (SLCPs) on November 1.
The programme will be held at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in the capital, a DU press release said today.
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo
is expected to address the inaugural session as the chief guest.
Adviser to the Prime Minister and PMO Spokesperson Dr Mahdi Amin, Principal Coordinator (SDG Affairs) at the Prime Minister's Office Prof Dr S M Abdul Awal, and Ambassador of Sweden to Bangladesh Nicolas Weeks will attend the function as special guests.
DU Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) Prof Dr Abdus Salam will deliver the welcome address and provide an overview of the objectives and programme of the dialogue.
The event will bring together leading scientists, policymakers, government representatives, international organizations, civil society members, business leaders, and key stakeholders to discuss science-guided actions on SLCPs to advance climate objectives, improve air quality, and protect public health across South Asia.
The dialogue builds on a long-standing history of Bangladesh-Sweden collaboration in atmospheric science, climate, and air-pollution policy. It will also celebrate major milestones in this partnership, including the Bangladesh Climate Observatory Bhola (BCOB)-jointly operated by DU and Stockholm University since 2013-and the 2011 Bangladesh-Sweden policy dialogue in Dhaka, which contributed to international cooperation on SLCPs through the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC).
Highlighting the urgency, the release noted that South Asia faces severe challenges from air pollution and accelerating climate change, with profound consequences for human health, food and water security, sea-level rise, extreme weather, livelihoods, and economic development.
The dialogue will focus on utilizing regionally generated, policy-relevant science to identify key priorities for SLCP mitigation, atmospheric measurements and verification, risk assessment, and integrated climate and air-quality action.