United News of Bangladesh

The government of Bangladesh and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on Wednesday signed the Project Document for the second phase of Inclusive Budgeting and Financing for Climate Resilience (IBFCR II), marking a renewed effort to strengthen how climate priorities are integrated into public planning, budgeting and financing. The Project Document was signed at the Economic Relations Division (ERD) by ERD Secretary Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky, Additional Finance Division Secretary Md Hasanul Matin and Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh Stephen Rodriques on behalf of their respective organisations. Financed by Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the initiative will be led by the Finance Division, with technical and implementation support from UNDP. Building on the first phase, IBFCR II will strengthen climate-sensitive public financial management and help ensure that climate finance is planned, tracked and used more effectively, particularly for climate-vulnerable areas and communities, according to a press release. Under the project, Bangladesh will update its climate finance tracking methodology, strengthen the Climate Fiscal Framework and develop a National Climate Finance Strategy. It will also strengthen ex-ante climate budgeting and project appraisal, introduce climate budget geotagging, and improve the tracking and reporting of climate finance reaching vulnerable areas. The project will work across key government institutions, including the Ministry of Planning, Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General, Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, Local Government Division and other relevant ministries, divisions and agencies. Training, technical assistance and improved digital tools will support officials to use climate evidence more systematically in planning and financial decision-making. The project will run until December 2027. It will also strengthen evidence on local climate finance and household expenditure related to climate shocks, helping policymakers better understand where resources are needed and how public finance can respond more effectively. Shahriar Kader said, “Climate vulnerability is placing increasing pressure on our development efforts. We need a clear understanding of our financing needs, existing gaps and how resources are being used. Stronger tracking, reliable data and better coordination will help us align climate finance with national priorities and direct more resources to vulnerable areas.” Drawing a direct connection between national financing systems and the realities facing climate-vulnerable communities, Stephen Rodriques said, “The needs of communities most affected by climate change must shape how we plan and spend public resources. Stronger systems should ultimately translate into practical improvements for people who are most in need. By strengthening the Government’s capacity to plan, track and account for climate finance, we can help ensure that resources respond more effectively to local priorities and climate risks.”

Dhaka ranked third among the world's most polluted cities on Wednesday morning, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 173 at 10:10am. The air quality was classified as ‘unhealthy’, meaning the concentration of pollutants in the air had reached a level that could pose health risks to the general population, according to the AQI scale. Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia ranked first with an AQI score of 210, while Singapore in Singapore ranked second with a score of 176. According to AQI standards, a reading between 101 and 150 is considered 'unhealthy for sensitive groups', while 151 to 200 is classified as 'unhealthy'. A reading between 201 and 300 is considered 'very unhealthy', while levels above 301 are deemed 'hazardous', posing serious health risks. The AQI provides daily updates on air quality, indicating how clean or polluted the air is and highlighting potential health impacts. In Bangladesh, the AQI is calculated based on five major pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and ozone. Dhaka has long struggled with air pollution, with air quality typically deteriorating during winter and improving during the monsoon season. The World Health Organization estimates that air pollution causes around seven million deaths globally each year, mainly from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.

El Nino and warming in the tropical Atlantic could help provide early warning of extreme heat in the Amazon, with some signals appearing as much as seven months earlier, new research has found. Researchers from the Australian Research Council Center of Excellence for the Weather of the 21st Century and Brazil's National Institute of Space Research studied how major patterns of natural climate variability influence temperature and rainfall extremes across the Amazon Basin, according to a statement released Tuesday by the Australian center. The study found Amazon heat extremes were more likely to follow unusually warm conditions associated with El Nino in the tropical Pacific and warming in parts of the tropical Atlantic. The clearest long-range signal occurred from March to May, when extreme heat across much of the Amazon was associated with climate conditions observed up to seven months earlier, according to the study published in the journal Earth's Future. The research also found early-warning potential for compound hot-dry events, particularly in the northern and lower central Amazon, although predictability was considerably weaker elsewhere. Researchers said machine learning allowed them to examine relationships with extreme compound events, which are harder to predict. Compound hot-dry events can increase fire risk, damage ecosystems and threaten human health, food security and water supplies, while weakening the Amazon's ability to absorb carbon dioxide, they said, noting that hot-dry events have become more frequent and intense, with early warnings helping communities and governments prepare for dangerous heat and drought. The study identifies regions and seasons where Pacific and Atlantic climate conditions could provide early warning, but further research is needed to translate these relationships into practical warning systems. 

Dhaka ranked first among the world's most polluted cities on Tuesday morning, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 213 at 11:10 am. The air quality was classified as ‘very unhealthy’, signaling a serious health alert where everyone may experience health effects, according to the AQI scale. Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia ranked second with an AQI score of 208, while Singapore in Singapore  ranked third with a score of 179 and Kolkata in India ranked fourth with an AQI score of 177. According to AQI standards, a reading between 101 and 150 is considered 'unhealthy for sensitive groups', while 151 to 200 is classified as 'unhealthy'. A reading between 201 and 300 is considered 'very unhealthy', while levels above 301 are deemed 'hazardous', posing serious health risks. The AQI provides daily updates on air quality, indicating how clean or polluted the air is and highlighting potential health impacts. In Bangladesh, the AQI is calculated based on five major pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and ozone. Dhaka has long struggled with air pollution, with air quality typically deteriorating during winter and improving during the monsoon season. The World Health Organization estimates that air pollution causes around seven million deaths globally each year, mainly from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.

Former Maldivian president Mohamed Nasheed on Monday said countries hit hardest by climate change are not seeking charity or aid, but their rightful due. "Some countries have enriched themselves by exploiting the planet's resources, and others are paying the price. The rights of climate-vulnerable countries must therefore be ensured in tackling the crisis," Nasheed said while addressing the Bay of Bengal Conversation 2026 at a city hotel. The three-day international conference was organised by the research organisation Centre for Governance Studies (CGS). "We are not asking for charity. We are not begging for grants or aid. We are only asking for a fair and rightful due, because we are providing an environmental service to this planet," he said. Nasheed said the people of Nepal have done nothing to deserve devastating floods, just as the people of Maldives have done nothing to cause the alarming rise in sea levels. "Someone will have to bear the cost of this damage." "I understand prosperity, I understand trade, I understand finance. I know everything in this world depends on money. But to use that money, we first have to survive," he said. Nasheed called for a development strategy that delivers desired economic outcomes while minimising harm to the planet and the environment. He said as the earth is changing, people must also change their habits. However, poor countries cannot be asked to remain poor simply to save the planet, he added. "There are countries that have grown rich by using this planet's resources for their own interests, and that has been done at our expense," he said. Highlighting the contribution of climate-affected countries, Nasheed said they continue to provide environmental services to the world in the course of their own survival, and should therefore be compensated. The former Maldivian president said humanity cannot survive if nature is not protected. If a country is ever submerged by rising seas, it will not be enough for its people alone to survive, he said, as questions will also arise over the future of its territory and national boundaries. Turning to the law of the sea, Nasheed said a country's political boundary extends up to 12 nautical miles from its coast but as sea levels continue to rise, the fate of a nation's territory and borders will become a critical question if its coastline is submerged. He said Maldives has an exclusive economic zone of 2,000 nautical miles and can exploit various resources up to 350 nautical miles. All these calculations are based on the coastline, he said, adding that the rights attached to them must be rethought if rising waters swallow the coast. "We cannot lose our country because of what you have done, not because of anything we have done," Nasheed said, describing it as a real-life example of the situation the world will face in the future due to climate change. He also criticised the mindset of viewing climate change as someone else's problem. Many think Maldives will disappear one day, but the issue is not Maldives alone, as climate change is affecting everyone, he said. "Before Maldives vanishes, your land or your country will disappear. This is happening to everyone. So please wake up," he said. Nasheed urged relevant international bodies to reconsider the definition of statehood and maritime boundaries in light of climate realities.

Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, ranked second among the world’s most polluted cities on Monday morning, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 185 at 8:45 am. The city’s air was classified as ‘unhealthy’, indicating a health threat, according to the AQI report. India’s Delhi and Kolkata occupied the first and third spots on the list, with AQI scores of 387 and 172, respectively. According to the AQI scale, a reading between 50 and 100 is considered ‘moderate’, with generally acceptable air quality, though sensitive individuals should limit prolonged outdoor exertion. AQI levels of 101–150 are ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, 151–200 is ‘unhealthy’, 201–300 is ‘very unhealthy’, and readings above 301 are considered ‘hazardous’, posing severe health risks. The AQI, which reports daily air quality, informs residents how clean or polluted the air is and highlights potential health effects. In Bangladesh, the AQI is calculated based on five key pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ozone. Dhaka has long struggled with air pollution. Air quality usually deteriorates in winter and improves during the monsoon season. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that air pollution causes about seven million deaths worldwide each year, primarily from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.

Hurricane Nolo strengthened into a major Category 3 storm in the remote Pacific Ocean on Saturday, far west of Hawaii’s main islands and populated areas. The storm’s maximum sustained winds reached 115 miles per hour (185 kilometres per hour), the Miami-based National Hurricane Center said. As of Saturday evening, Nolo was about 200 miles (320 kilometres) south-southwest of Lisianski Island, moving westward at 20 miles per hour (31 kilometres per hour). A tropical storm warning was issued for part of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, a vast protected area containing islands, atolls, underwater mountains, shoals and coral reefs. The warning covered the area from Maro Reef to Lisianski Island. The hurricane centre warned that large waves generated by Nolo could flood some low-lying atolls. However, the forecast indicated no threat to any populated islands. Nolo was expected to cross the international date line on Sunday, the centre said. The storm passed near Hawaii as a hurricane about a week ago before weakening into a tropical storm. It regained hurricane strength on Friday. Meanwhile, another Pacific storm, Category 1 Hurricane Rachel, continued moving westward away from Mexico’s west coast. The hurricane centre forecast dangerous swells along the west-central coast of Mexico through the weekend and around the Baja California Peninsula through Monday.

Dhaka ranked as the world's third most polluted city on Sunday morning, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 177 at 09:15 am. The air quality was classified as 'unhealthy' category, indicating that the concentration of airborne pollutants had reached a level that could pose health risks to the general public, according to the AQI scale.. India's capital Delhi topped the list with an AQI score of 235, followed by Kolkata with a score of 186. Indonesia's capital Jakarta ranked fourth with an AQI score of 174. An AQI reading between 101 and 150 is considered 'unhealthy for sensitive groups', while a score between 151 and 200 is classified as 'unhealthy'. Readings between 201 and 300 are deemed 'very unhealthy', and levels above 301 are considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks. The AQI, an index that tracks daily air quality, indicates how polluted the air is and the potential health effects on residents. In Bangladesh, AQI measurements are based on five key pollutants: particulate matter (PM₁₀ and PM₂.₅), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), sulphur dioxide (SO₂) and ozone. According to the World Health Organization, air pollution causes an estimated seven million deaths worldwide each year, primarily from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.

The Regional Conference of Youth Asia-Pacific (RCOY APAC) 2026 began in Dhaka on Saturday, bringing together more than 500 young leaders, including over 100 international delegates, from 28 countries to discuss climate action, justice and resilience.  The conference, being hosted in Bangladesh for the first time, will continue until October 6 and brings together youth-led organisations, researchers, policymakers, innovators and community representatives from across the Asia-Pacific region. Recognised under YOUNGO, the Official Children and Youth Constituency of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the main sessions are being held at BRAC University from October 3 to 5, while the final day's programme will take place at the CCDB Climate Centre. UN representatives, government officials, development partners and academic institutions are also participating in the conference.

Dhaka, the densely populated capital of Bangladesh, ranked third among the world’s most polluted cities on Saturday morning, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 170 at 9:14 am. Today, the city’s air was classified as ‘unhealthy’, indicating a health threat, according to the AQI report. Pakistan’s Lahore, India’s Kolkata and Delhi occupied the first, second, and fourth spots on the list, with AQI scores of 214, 190, and 168 respectively. According to the AQI scale, a reading between 50 and 100 is considered ‘moderate’, with generally acceptable air quality, though sensitive individuals should limit prolonged outdoor exertion. AQI levels of 101–150 are ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, 151–200 is ‘unhealthy’, 201–300 is ‘very unhealthy’, and readings above 301 are considered ‘hazardous’, posing severe health risks. The AQI, which reports daily air quality, informs residents how clean or polluted the air is and highlights potential health effects. In Bangladesh, the AQI is calculated based on five key pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ozone. Dhaka has long struggled with air pollution. Air quality usually deteriorates in winter and improves during the monsoon season. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that air pollution causes about seven million deaths worldwide each year, primarily from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.