Änjali Kaur, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Deputy Assistant Administrator (DAA) for Asia, visited Bangladesh from June 2-6 to meet with national and local government officials to advance the U.S.-Bangladesh development partnership and prioritize a prosperous and climate-resilient future.

In honor of World Environment Day, DAA Kaur highlighted the importance of biodiversity conservation, restoration, and harnessing local knowledge and expertise for healthy ecosystems.

During her visit, DAA Kaur met with key government officials, development partners, and civil society to strengthen USAID’s partnership.  She delivered a keynote at the clean air policy dialogue with the Honorable Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Saber Hossain Chowdhury, the Convenor of the Climate Parliament Nahim Razzaq, MP, and the Mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation, Atiqul Islam.

She unveiled USAID’s Chittagong Hill Tracts Watershed Co-Management Activity, which empowers local communities and protects natural resources in the hill tracts region, with UNDP, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Mashiur Rahman ndc, and Rangamati Hill District Council Chairman Aung Shue Pru.

DAA Kaur was also excited to make her inaugural visit to the Sundarbans and understand the importance of the world’s largest mangrove forest.  She met with USAID partners and local champions who protect the ecosystem and its wildlife, which are critical for livelihoods and protection from floods and cyclones.  Community leaders, local government, and the private sector shared their stories and insights on strengthening ecosystem resilience and advancing prosperity.