As part of the ‘Climate Action at Local Level’ (CALL) program, in collaboration with the Embassy of Switzerland, an event titled ‘Biophilia: Reconnecting People, Climate, and Culture’ was held on September 2, 2025, at a convention center in the capital.
The event was attended by a distinguished group of guests, including:
- Brigadier General (Retd.) Dr. M. Sakhawat Hossain, Advisor, Ministry of Labor and Employment
- Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Ministry of Water Resources
- Muhammad Fauzul Kabir Khan, from the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources
- Michael Miller, Head of Delegation for the European Union (EU) in Bangladesh
- Ms. Corinne Henchoz Pignani, Chargé d’affaires of the Swiss Development Centre (SDC)
- Dr. Ainun Nishat, a renowned expert on environment and water resources
- Dr. Valantine Achancho, Country Director, IFAD in Bangladesh
- Country Chiefs from nine Switzerland-based organizations
- Dr. Md Arifur Rahman, Founder and Chief Executive of YPSA
- Mohammad Ali Shahin, Advocacy Focal for YPSA
Serving as the chief guest, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Ministry of Water Resources, stated in her opening remarks, “We have limited time and resources, so a coordinated effort is essential. This crisis is not just about survival—it is about the security of our future generations and the very existence of many nations.”
The day-long festival was a gathering of diplomats, policymakers, local leaders, artists, innovators, beneficiaries, and students. Guests had the opportunity to visit various stalls and exchange views with students and members of climate-resilient communities. YPSA’s Chief Executive, Dr. Md Arifur Rahman, and his team actively participated in the event, providing a presentation on YPSA’s initiatives to address the climate crisis.
