Climate Justice Assembly 2025 begins on Saturday

Bangla Press Desk:   The two-day international conference “Climate Justice Assembly 2025” is set to take place on 13–14 December at the Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University Auditorium in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka.

The event is being organised by “Dhara – Protecting Our Planet” along with 21 national and international organisations.

With participation from approximately 1,500 prominent environmentalists, researchers, policymakers, and social movement leaders from 14 countries across Bangladesh, Asia, and the world, the assembly is expected to be one of Asia’s major climate rights-based gatherings.

Ahead of the main event, the convening committee held a press conference on Friday at the Tofazzal Hossain Manik Mia Hall of the National Press Club.

The announcement was made by Assembly Committee Member Secretary Sharif Jamil, who highlighted the objectives, preparations, participating delegates, schedule of sessions, rally plan, and other activities.

According to the organisers, the assembly will begin on 13 December at 8:30am with a Climate Rally, after which the formal inauguration of Climate Justice Assembly 2025 will take place.

The opening session will be chaired by Mujibur Rahman Howlader, convener of the organising committee and advisor to Dhara.

The session will be inaugurated by Sharmin S Murshid, adviser to the Ministry of Social Welfare, while Farida Akhter, adviser to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, will attend as the chief guest.

The first day will feature three plenary sessions with participation from climate-affected communities from across Bangladesh, as well as national and international climate experts.

On the second day at 4:00pm, organisers will present the “Draft Assembly Declaration,” summarising the discussions, recommendations, and action points derived from the previous day's sessions.

Speaking at the press conference, Sharif Jamil emphasised that ensuring climate justice requires awareness and collaboration among both marginalised and non-marginalised communities.

“Only through collective consciousness can we secure a just transition,” he said.

Assembly Convener Mujibur Rahman Howlader noted that environmental and climate challenges pose global threats, and Bangladesh remains highly vulnerable.

He praised environmental activists for their selfless contributions but highlighted that meaningful climate action requires substantial funding.

He stressed that adequate state support is essential to ensure climate justice and effective environmental protection.

Speakers at the press conference also included Co-Convener of the Climate Justice Assembly 2025 MS Siddiqui, CPRD Executive Director Md Shamsuddoha, Professor Mohammad Zahirul Haque of Sylhet Metropolitan University, and Mir Mohammad Ali, assistant professor at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University.

Also present were Shakila Aziz, managing director of the Center for Renewable Energy Services Ltd (CRESL), along with assembly coordinators and associate coordinators.

The event is organised by Dhara – Protecting Our Planet, with support from a wide network of national and international partner organisations including CPRD, COAST Foundation, CRESL, Waterkeepers Bangladesh, MissionGreen Bangladesh, Brighters, OAB Foundation, Asian Peoples’ Movement on Debt and Development (APMDD), Alternative Law Collective, Artivist Network, Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, Fossil Free Japan, Green Council, Japan Center for a Sustainable Environment and Society, LDC Watch, Mines, Minerals and People, Netzwerke Energiewende, Philippine Movement for Climate Justice, Policy Research Institute for Equitable Development, RiverFox, and CWT.

BP/SP