To observe the World Environment Day 2020, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), jointly organized a webinar on “ Time for Nature: Accelerating Conservation Action in Post-COVID-19 Situation” on 06 June.

World Environment Day is the UN’s flagship day when governments, non-state actors and citizens come together to take action in support of the environment. The theme of this year’s World Environment Day is 'Time for Nature'—a call to action to combat the accelerating species loss and degradation of the natural world. In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, this year, the day serves as a reminder that human health is closely linked to the planet’s health.

Speakers at the discussion highlighted the challenges and opportunities of the actions taken by both state and non-state actors in Bangladesh to conserve nature.

Dr. AKM Rafique Ahammed, Director General, Department of Environment, attended the webinar as the chief guest, while Khurshid Alam, Assistant Resident Representative, UNDP and Raquibul Amin, Country Representative of IUCN Bangladesh, jointly moderated the discussion.

During his speech, Dr. AKM Rafique said, “COVID-19 has given us a message, that it needs time to heal. We need to focus on eco-centrism rather than anthropocentrism. Worldwide spread of zoonotic disease including Covid-19 are the result of anthropocentrism. In a post-Covid situation, we need to reconsider the definition and idea of growth.”

He also added that under the three UN conventions, we mostly neglect the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). “From individual to global community, it’s everyone’s responsibility to step forward and take action to prioritize on CBD. It’s time to go green and live in harmony with nature.”

Sanjay Kumar Bhowmick, Joint Secretary at MoEFCC, added that the implication of rules and regulations and development interventions in a coordinated and inclusive way are required for planetary emergency.

Rakibul Hassan from Bangladesh Forest Department also pointed out that it is now our responsibility to identify in Post Covid-19 situation as how we can live in harmony with nature by addressing biodiversity degradation and reducing environmental pollution. He also said that we need more investment in biodiversity hotspot areas.

Dr. Fahmida Khanom, Director (NRM), DoE said, “ECA fund need to be included in regular revenue fund in order to manage in future.” She also emphasized on sustainable consumption in the recovery plan of Covid-19 situation.

Solaiman Haider, Director (Planning) of DoE, added that in Covid-19 recovery plan, we will have to emphasize on ecosystem recovery along with economic recovery.

Professor Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Chair, IUCN National Committee in Bangladesh stressed the importance on inclusiveness in biodiversity conservation action and post Covid-19 recovery plan.

The webinar started with remarks  by Arif M. Faisal, the Programme Specialist at UNDP. He emphasized on biodiversity conservation in national strategy and focused on the financing gap for biodiversity conservation efforts at global level compared to Climate Change. He also highlighted the importance of  engaging private sectors in biodiversity conservation.

Among others, Dilruba Haider, Programme Specialist, UN-Women, Farid Uddin Ahmed, Executive Director, Arannayk Foundation, Muqeed Majumder Babu, Prokriti O Jibon Foundation, Impress Group also spoke.

The recommendations will be shared with the government later on for implementation.

For more information and media interviews, contact:

Md Abdul Quayyum, Head of Communications UNDP: md.quayyum@undp.org, 8801715025551