Green Growth Solutions Conference Garners Massive Recognition

Over 250 Bangladeshi and Danish experts and policy makers discussed opportunities and challenges related to Green Growth at the Green Growth Solutions Conference on 26 April, 2017. Four panels of experts and decision makers discussed how Bangladesh can effectively apply energy efficiency, and sustainable waste and water management in various industries at the Green Growth Solutions Conference.

The conference aimed to articulate challenges and opportunities for Bangladesh to make the transition into a green economy, with inspiration from Denmark’s success in the field. The final goal was to formulate a framework which in practical terms will give a clear direction on how the Bangladeshi economy can keep growing and still honor the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Inaugurating the conference, Honorable Foreign Minister Ah Mamood Ali said, “Today’s conference would help key decision makers to enrich their understanding on the concept of green growth itself, its adoption for mainstream economy and its applicability to the Bangladeshi context taking cue from Danish green growth experiences in the private and public sector. Bangladesh can be immensely benefited from the evidence-base and literature that will be covered during the conference.”

The conference commenced with the aim to formulate concrete suggestions and ideas which can be applied as real solutions in Bangladesh and ensure sustainable and green production in various industries.

It is a core element of the Danish development efforts in Bangladesh – and in a global sense – that the Danish experts will share our knowledge and experience on clean energy. I see a huge potential for Danish inspired solution being applied in this country and I hope this conference will boost the green transition of Bangladesh”, said Honorable Danish Ambassador Mikael Hemniti Winther addressing the audience.

From NCCI’s side, Vice President Imtiaz Ilahi shares, “We at the Nordic Chamber know that a green economy is the only way to ensure sustainable development and protect the earth from greenhouse gas emission. Moreover, we believe that Sustainable Economic Development goes hand in hand with Green Sustainability and one can simply not be without the other”. He also adds, ” We are happy to know that the present government is committed to ensuring sustainable and environment-friendly green industrialization aimed at turning Bangladesh into a developed one in the globe in the very near future.” Before leaving the podium, he says, “From the Chamber’s perspective, I think we need more and more of such events and sessions to be organized with the aim of knowledge boosting and sharing and opening up doors to Sustainable Development practices. I would also humbly urge the Government of Bangladesh, the public, private and all other sectors to take on more endeavors in the field of Green Growth to help industries and business to move towards sustainability.”

The conference was hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh (MoFA) and the Embassy of Denmark in Dhaka, in partnership with the Nordic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) and the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI). Among others, PM’s energy adviser Dr. Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, State Minister Md Shahriar Alam, Chief SDG Coordinator from PM’s Office Abul Kalam Azad, Executive Director of State of Green Finn Mortensen and MCCI President Nihad Kabir also spoke at the conference.

Danish solutions provider within energy efficiency, renewable energy, and water saving and treatment solutions were present at the conference displaying their products and services.