Managing Cryosphere and Water Risks in Bangladesh/Yarlung-Zangbo Brahmaputra Network Meeting

About the event

This consultation meeting will bring together key partner institutions in Bangladesh working on river basin management, climate change and Disaster Risk Reduction. During the meeting, ICIMOD will brief partner institutions in Bangladesh on the new Strategy 2030 and Medium-Term Action Plan (MTAP) V (2023–2026) and produce joint work plans to further strengthen collaboration and partnership. The event is being organised with Bangladesh Water Development Board with ICIMOD’s Action Area A: Managing Cryosphere and Water Risks under Strategic Group (SG) 1: Reducing Climate and Environment Risks, supported by the governments of Bangladesh, Norway and Switzerland. 

Objectives

• Share and conduct discussions on ICIMODs MTAP V (2023-2026), with focus on AAA’s planned activities for 2024 and beyond 

• Explore scope for cooperation in the areas of disaster risk reduction (DRR), water resource management, and implications for climate risk preparedness in Bangladesh, and opportunities to scale in the broader HKH  

• Consult with the experts attending the broader Yarlung-Tsangbo Brahmaputra dialogue on a strategy for promoting science based regional cooperation in the basin in relation to disaster risk reduction (DRR) and integrated river basin management (IRBM) 

Expected outcomes

• Identified joint areas of cooperation and potential partnership under MTAPV to manage cryosphere and water risks 

• Strengthened collaboration with partners for the implementation of activities in Bangladesh  

Expected participants

This consultation will include representatives from national institutions related to water resource management and disaster risk preparedness, as well as academia and subject specialists in water, climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction and preparedness and river basin management. 

Background

ICIMOD has developed a new roadmap in the form of  Strategy 2030 and MTAP V (2023–2026) to enhance cooperation and collaboration for a greener, more inclusive, and climate-resilient Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH). With this new direction, ICIMOD is embarking on a new four-year cycle, committed to driving policy and practice.  

Bangladesh is particularly vulnerable to climate-related hazards such as cyclones, floods, and droughts. ICIMOD has been collaborating with national institutions for more than two decades in hydro-meteorological related regional projects, improving livelihoods, enhancing watershed management, and promoting climate resilience. ICIMOD has supported capacity enhancement of local partners in areas such as flood modelling and forecasting, satellite rainfall predictions, and internship of young employees. 

In addition, the workshop will provide opportunity to identify other key areas for cooperation with relevant partners in Bangladesh with ICIMODs Strategic Group on: Reducing Climate and Environment Risks.