The Embassy of Bangladesh in the Netherlands hosted an insightful round table discussion on “Water and Bangladesh: Challenges and Opportunities” in The Hague.
The event brought together Bangladeshi water experts, the Dutch CDA to Bangladesh Ambassador Carstens, officials from the Dutch Foreign Ministry, Professors and experts from IHE Delft, and water professionals. We had enriching contributions from:
Dr. Ruknul Ferdous, Water and Environmental Expert, who emphasized the importance of improving flood forecasting and early warning systems to mitigate flood risks in Bangladesh.
Kifayath Chowdhury, PhD Candidate at Delft University of Technology, stressed the need for interdisciplinary collaboration between government agencies, scientists, engineers, and communities for more resilient flood protection.
Mohammad Saidee Hasan, PhD Candidate at TU Delft, discussed turning flood risks into economic opportunities by using natural infrastructure, like wetlands, to enhance water retention while supporting agriculture, tourism, and fisheries.
Md Feroz Islam, Researcher at Wageningen University and Research (WUR), highlighted the far-reaching effects of climate change on water and food security.
Professor Chris Zevenbergen from IHE Delft, stressed the need for dynamic and adaptable water management plans for Bangladesh’s evolving delta.
Bangladesh Ambassador H.E. Tareque Muhammad underscored the strong partnership between Bangladesh and the Netherlands in water management, especially as we look forward to continuing our collaboration in the second phase of the Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100.
We can’t fight with the river, but we can manage our rivers through community engagement and innovative solutions.
A huge thank you to everyone who participated and shared their expertise! Together, we can shape a more resilient and sustainable future.