Locally Led Adaptation Framework Launched to Boost Climate Resilience

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC) on 02 February, launched the dissemination of 'The National Framework and Action Plan for Locally Led Adaptation (LLA)' in Bangladesh, one of the first frameworks of its kind globally. The initiative is supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) of the British High Commission, the World Bank, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The dissemination marks a major milestone in Bangladesh's efforts to translate its climate commitments into actionable, locally driven adaptation measures.

Speaking as the Chief Guest, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Hon'ble Advisor, MoEFCC, emphasized the framework's pivotal role, "This locally led adaptation framework is about connecting policy with implementation, ensuring that plans are not just documents but are translated into action by ministries and local government institutions delivering adaptation on the ground."

Dr. Farhina Ahmed, Secretary, MoEFCC, highlighted the need for strategic climate finance: "With climate finance being limited and highly competitive, this framework ensures that every resource is used wisely, coordinated effectively, and delivers maximum impact for adaptation across Bangladesh." She also suggested that the Bangladesh Climate Development Partnership (BCDP) serves as an appropriate platform to translate the framework's vision into significant action.

Special Guest Rezaul Maksud Jahedi, Secretary, Local Government Division, underscored the importance of collective commitment: "The framework is a strong foundation, but it remains only words on paper without our collective effort. Today's dissemination marks just the beginning of making it real."

Hoe Yun Jeong, Country Director, ADB, stated, "LLA Framework marks a major milestone in integrating adaptation into national systems while ensuring that solutions remain grounded in local needs and community leadership." He added that ADB will help enhance access to climate finance by strengthening national and local systems to channel climate financing efficiently, particularly to vulnerable households, smallholder farmers, women entrepreneurs, and the urban poor.

Stefan Liller, UNDP Resident Representative, reaffirmed UNDP's support: "Drawing from global experience and ensuring alignment with national systems, UNDP is proud to have contributed technically to the formulation of this framework in close partnership with MOEFCC, ADB and the World Bank." He added that the framework will guide the scaling of locally led adaptation under LoGIC Phase II nationwide.

Arghya Sinha Roy, Director for Climate Change at ADB, delivered the keynote presentation. Nathaniel Smith, Team Leader for Climate and Environment at FCDO, and Kirtan Chandra Sahoo, Senior Environmental Specialist at the World Bank, also spoke at the event.

Approved in May 2025, the LLA Framework guides community-driven climate action by empowering local governments within national systems. The event brought together key stakeholders to discuss how it will strengthen community-centred climate resilience.