Climate Change and Security: Addressing Potential Instabilities in Bangladesh | 24 Dec 2024

The Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies (BIPSS), with exclusive funding from the European Union, successfully hosted a workshop on “Climate Change and Security: Addressing Potential Instabilities in Bangladesh.” The event brought together key stakeholders, including researchers, journalists, NGO officials, and representatives from Bangladesh’s security and government agencies.

In his Welcome remarks, Major General ANM Muniruzzaman (Retd), President of BIPSS, emphasized the urgent need for a comprehensive national strategy to address climate-induced risks.

The workshop featured prominent speakers, including Mr.Shafqat Munir, Senior Research Fellow at BIPSS, and Commodore Sheikh Mahmudul Hasan (Retd), Deputy Director of the Centre for Bay of Bengal Studies, Independent University Bangladesh. A video presentation by Alice C. Hill, Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, Washington, D.C., provided global insights into military transitions from traditional roles to climate resilience efforts.

Mr Shafqat Munir highlighted climate change as a “threat multiplier,” urging the integration of climate policies into security frameworks and the adoption of tools like the Climate Security Mechanism. Commodore Sheikh Mahmudul Hasan stressed the security sector’s pivotal role in building climate resilience, advocating for sustainable practices, disaster-resilient infrastructure, and cross-sector collaboration.

The event concluded with a Q&A session emphasizing the proactive role of security agencies in disaster preparedness and sustainability, citing global examples from the UK and USA. Major General Muniruzzaman In his closing remarks summarized the discussions and reinforced the need for actionable strategies and international cooperation to mitigate climate-security challenges.

This workshop underscored the critical role of coordinated action and informed policymaking to build resilience in climate-vulnerable nations like Bangladesh.