By Gazi Mahida Mizan from Satkhira
The Coastal Youth Climate Conference 2025 was held in Satkhira with strong calls for transforming the city into a climate-resilient hub. The event took place at Satkhira Public Library auditorium recently, jointly organized by BARCIK and the Education, Culture and Diversity Protection Team.
The conference put forward several recommendations, including urgent measures to resolve waterlogging in Satkhira, large-scale tree plantation to reduce urban heat, opening parks, playgrounds, and gardens for public use, creating separate bicycle lanes for students, and ensuring housing facilities for low-income residents. Participants also demanded inclusion of low-income groups in social safety nets, promotion of work-oriented education and training for youth, provision of health cards to ensure medical services for the urban poor, and greater participation of youth in city development planning.
In the first session, chaired by Satkhira District Citizens’ Committee Convener Adv. Azad Hossain Belal, ‘Youth perspectives on the climate crisis and urban reforms’ were discussed by Professor Mozzammel Hossain, Upazila Youth Development Officer Azizul Haque, Senior Journalist Sharifullah Kaiser Sumon, Urban Researcher Jahangir Alam, Anthropologist Shahidul Islam, Journalist SM Biplob Hossain, and youth representatives including Sifat Hossain, Nishita, and Imti Jamil.
The second session, chaired by environmental activist Madhav Chandra Dutta, focused on youth roles in building a green and eco-friendly city. Speakers included Department of Environment Assistant Director Md. Asaduzzaman, researcher Amreen Binte Azad, and youth members Saidul Islam, Irafil Hossain, Ifti Jamil, Mehtahul Jannat Mahi, and Tahura Khatun Lily.
In the final session which was chaired by environmental activist Principal Ashek-e-Elahi, discussions centered on the problems and prospects of marginalized urban communities. Senior journalist Golam Sarwar, youth organizer Osman Gani Sohag, Education, Culture and Diversity Protection Team President Abdur Rahman Nirob, youth representative Tamim Rohan, Mabia Jannat, and domestic worker Jahanara Khatun shared their views.
Earlier, a colorful rally was brought out in Satkhira city demanding climate justice.
