Environmental, Forest, and Climate Change Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan has underscored the need for forging collective global efforts to work together in protecting international rivers, forests, and wetlands.

She stressed the importance of ensuring environmental and climate justice, holding countries responsible for climate change and pollution accountable for compensation.

Environment advisor made the remarks on Tuesday during the 8th IUCN Regional Conservation Forum in Bangkok, Thailand, held under the theme “Reimagining Conservation in Asia: A Nature-Positive Future.”

The IUCN presented its vision and action plan for the next 20 years at the conference, said a press release here this afternoon.

The advisor said that the notion of a conflict between development and the environment is misguided and that the realization of IUCN's vision would prove this.

She proposed regular updates to the 20-year vision and emphasized the importance of including youth in all plans.

Advisor Hasan is leading Bangladesh's delegation at the conference, which runs from 3 to 5 September.

The delegation includes Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Iqbal Abdullah Harun.

The Maldives' representative also spoke at the event alongside the environmental advisor.