Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, serving as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) since 2023, visited Khulna and Chattogram on Tuesday to witness firsthand the impact of climate change and UNDP's initiatives on climate change adaptation in Bangladesh.
With a focus on climate change adaptation and sustainable development, Crown Princess engaged with community members including climate displaced population particularly women, who have undergone transformational changes to become active change-makers in their communities.
By immersing herself in locally-driven solutions, the Crown Princess gained invaluable insights into the development of comprehensive
resilience models, a UNDP press release said.
Throughout the day, the Crown Princess observed UNDP interventions undertaken in partnership with other UN agencies and the governments of Bangladesh with support from the government of Sweden and other development partners.
In Moheshwaripur union of Koyra upazila, Khulna, she observed climate adaptation initiatives programme adopted by UNDP and UNCDF with support from the Swedish government.
Additionally, she visited a UNDP-supported a2i digital service delivery center, where rural populations are empowered to access essential public services through ICT services and inaugurated a smart post center.
A key highlight of the visit was the interaction with empowered female leaders championing locally-led adaptation approaches. In Jele Para Dakshin, Chattogram, she interacted with a climate-displaced community and witnessed their resilience-building efforts led by women.
The Crown Princess also observed innovative interventions, including an embankment wall constructed through collaboration between the UK and Bangladesh governments, facilitated by UNDP.
The visit also included a stop at the Asian University for Women in Chattogram, where her royal highness interacted with female students and observed UNDP-supported initiatives, including innovative training courses aimed at empowering women and fostering sustainable development.
The Crown Princess was accompanied by Ulrika Modeer, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Director of External Relations and Advocacy at UNDP; Johan Forssell, Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade; Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Environment, Forests and Climate Change Minister of Bangladesh; Zunaid Ahmed Palak, State Minister for Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology; Stefan Liller, UNDP Bangladesh Resident Representative; and Alexandra Berg von Linde, Ambassador of Sweden to Bangladesh; among others.
The UNDP goodwill ambassador's visit underscored the need for collaborative efforts in tackling climate change and promoting gender equality, reaffirming UNDP's commitment to building resilient and inclusive communities in Bangladesh and beyond.
Swedish Crown Princess visits rain harvesting project, UDC at Koyra
Besides, the UNDP Goodwill Ambassador and Swedish Crown Princess Victoria also visited “JaggoTemple” area of Nayani village under Moheshwaripur union of coastal Koyra upazila, adjacent to the Sundarbans, in Khulna.
Before leaving Koyra, the Crown Princess visited the rain water harvesting system, built by the LOGIC project under the Local Government Department (LGD) funded by UNDP, UNCDF, the European Union (EU) and the government of Sweden.
She observed the salt-free fresh and safe drinking water activities from the rain harvesting system in the temple area and exchanged views with the beneficiaries.
While exchanging views, the beneficiaries explained to the Princess about the scarcity of safe drinking water due to the salinity problem of the country’s southern coastal areas before planting the rain harvesting water system.
Women had to go far to collect saline-free safe drinking water for their families and also faced difficulties in previous years, they said, adding: “But now, we are getting saline-free fresh safe water easily after setting up the rain harvesting system.”
Later, the Crown Princess visited different projects including farming sheep, fish and honey collecting and marketing of Climate-Change and Livelihood Development Cooperative Society as part of climate-resilient livelihoods under the LOGIC project at the same union.
She visited the digital center and their service set up at Maharajpur union building of the upazila and witnessed how the authority concerned provides digital services to the villagers. She also enjoyed folk songs regarding the benefits and services of the digital center.
Later, the Princess inaugurated a smart service point of the post office of the Directorate of Bangladesh Post Office at Koyra sadar.
Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Mr. Johan Forssell, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury and State Minister for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Zunaid Ahmed Palak, among others, were present.
Earlier, the government officials led by Additional Divisional Commissioner (revenue) Md Firoz Shah welcomed the Crown Princess Victoria at the temporary helipad at Nayani Ground in Gilabari United Academy under Moheshwaripur Union Parishad (UP) of Koyra upazila around 8am.
