Bangladesh's Environment Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo told an ESCAP session in Bangkok that blue carbon finance is essential to protect coastal communities and strengthen the delta economy. He cited World Bank data showing cyclones cost Bangladesh about $1 billion annually and warned that nearly 13.3 million people could be internally displaced by 2050 due to climate impacts. The minister described mangrove forests and coastal wetlands as critical national climate infrastructure, not just environmental assets. Mintoo called for regional cooperation on blue carbon mapping, unified carbon measurement methods, and regional carbon markets across the Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean regions. He noted that countries like Bangladesh, India, Thailand, and Indonesia share common threats from cyclones, sea level rise, and coastal erosion. The session was part of an ESCAP event in Bangkok, with environment ministers from Pakistan, Maldives, and other nations also attending.
