Saber Hossain Chowdhury. File Photo
Newly appointed Environment, Forests and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury on Thursday (11 January) said despite various global economic and environmental problems, he is committed to working to provide a better environment to the country's people under the leadership of Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
He said although Bangladesh is not responsible for climate change, Bangladesh is suffering from adverse effects of climate change, a ministry press release said.
"I will work to build global public opinion against climate change," he vowed while talking to reporters after the oath taking ceremony at Bangabhaban here today.
As a Member of Parliament elected from Dhaka 9 consisting of Khilgaon, Sabujbagh and Mugda, he was the President of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and a member of the Parliamentary Committee on the Ministry of Planning in the 11th National Parliament.
He was appointed as Special Envoy of the Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for Environment and Climate Change in June 2023 and played an important leadership role for Bangladesh and LDCs in global climate talks.
Saber Hossain was first inducted to the Cabinet as a Deputy Minister in 1999 in the Ministry of Shipping (with responsibility for Ports) and thereafter in the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and cooperatives (with responsibility for LGED).
As the first and only Bangladeshi, he served as 28th President of Geneva based Inter-Parliamentary Union from 2014-2017. IPU's current membership comprises of 179 national parliaments, having well over 45 thousand members of parliaments who in turn represent 6.5 billion people across the globe.
Established in 1889, IPU is the world's organisation of National Parliaments and is the focal point for worldwide Parliamentary dialogue and building stronger Parliaments and democracies.
In a distinguished career, Saber Hossain has excelled in various roles and responsibilities in Parliament, Government, political party and sports administration.
He was Organizing Secretary (1) for Bangladesh Awami League from 2001 -2008 responsible for Dhaka Division and also the Political Secretary to Awami League President and the then Leader of the Opposition, Sheikh Hasina, during this period.
As President of Bangladesh Cricket Board between 1996-2001, he successfully piloted elevation of Bangladesh to Full Member/Test status of International Cricket Council.
Bangladesh Cricket Board was decorated with Independence Day Award and Saber Hossain was bestowed with Honorary Life Membership of MCC for his services to world cricket.
As a legislator, he initiated the proposal for a new provision in the Constitution of Bangladesh relating to protection and improvement of the environment and biodiversity (Article 18A) as one of the fundamental principles of state policy.
He is a graduate of School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London and holds a Joint Honors degree in Economics and Politics as well as a Diploma in Law from University of Westminster, United Kingdom having completed the academic stage for entry to the Bar.
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