<div style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;"><b>Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury has said that Japan has shown keen interest in financing specific projects, particularly emphasizing disaster resilience and green financing through JICA.</b></span><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">Ambassador Kiminori expressed his country’s keenness while he was engaged in a productive discussion with Saber Hossain at the Secretariat on Tuesday.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Both parties expressed anticipation for future projects and programs, with Ambassador Kiminori reaffirming Japan's unwavering support for Bangladesh's endeavors to combat climate change and bolster resilience to its impacts.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Bangladesh's annual funding requirement is of $9 billion for climate change initiatives, with the government presently allocating $3 billion, resulting in a substantial shortfall of $6 billion, said Saber.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Stressing the pivotal role of assistance from institutions like the ADB and World Bank, he highlighted the necessity for both multilateral and bilateral cooperation, noting Bangladesh's efficient utilization of available funds to address national needs, he said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The dialogue between Ambassador Kiminori and Minister Chowdhury encompassed bilateral cooperation in environmental conservation, sustainable forestry practices, and climate change mitigation strategies.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to bolstering the enduring friendship between Japan and Bangladesh through collaborative efforts in tackling pressing environmental challenges.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Discussions delved into the preservation of biodiversity, water bodies, natural resources, disaster management, climate change adaptation, as well as initiatives like the Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan and the Bangladesh Climate Development Partnership and Economic Partnership Agreement with Japan.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In the realm of economic collaboration, the meeting also touched upon Japanese companies' initiatives in promoting power plants and other projects in Bangladesh.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd/fas</div>