On Saturday, September 23, 2023, Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) hosted the inaugural session of the 'Preserve Planet Earth' International Climate Change Conference. This pioneering conference organized an association of distinguished experts and stakeholders to direct emerging actionable strategies towards paths of investment and employment, targeting the rising global temperatures and advocating for the reduction of fossil fuel consumption.
Among the esteemed speakers, the conference featured MP Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Bangladesh prime minister's special envoy for climate change, as the chief guest, MP Waseqa Ayesha Khan, vice chairperson of Climate Parliament Bangladesh, Prof Dr Saleemul Huq, OBE, a leading global climate scientist and director at the International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD) of IUB, and Prof Saifur Rahman, president and CEO of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
In a recorded address, Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Member of Parliament and Bangladesh Prime Minister's Special Envoy for Climate Change, emphasized, "We find ourselves standing at the precipice of a planetary crisis. The preparatory phase has concluded, and implementing impactful measures has assumed paramount significance. To transform challenges into opportunities, we must bolster our commitment to climactic sustainability through prudent resource management and substantial investments in conservation efforts."
In a separate video communication, Ayesha Waseqa Khan, Member of Parliament and Vice Chairperson of Climate Parliament Bangladesh, disclosed that there are presently 30 ongoing projects in the domain of renewable energy, of which 24 are backed by private sector financing. Furthermore, an additional 65 projects are currently under consideration.
The 'Preserve Planet Earth' conference will span Dhaka to Manila, Dallas, Santiago, Santos-Brazil, Paris, and Kampala.
The Research Officers from BIMRAD participated in the conference. The conference was significant and interactive.
