SACCJF-BD Holds Inaugural Meeting, Unveils Vision for South Asian Climate Journalism Network
Last Updated on August 4, 2025 6:46 pm
Dhaka, August 4, 2025 — The Bangladesh chapter of the South Asian Climate Change Journalists Forum (SACCJF) officially kicked off its journey with the successful hosting of its first Executive Committee meeting on Monday at its temporary office in Mohammadpur, Dhaka.
The session was presided over by SACCJF-BD President Mr. Masum Billah and conducted by Secretary General Mr. Shamsuddin Illius. In a show of regional solidarity, SACCJF Executive President Mr. Asaduzzaman Shamrat and Secretary General Mr. Keramat Ullah Biplob attended the meeting as mentors, offering key strategic direction to the newly formed chapter.
The meeting resulted in a set of ambitious yet urgent decisions to accelerate climate journalism initiatives in Bangladesh and beyond:
Key Action Points: Workshop for mid-career journalists interested in climate reporting, planned for the last week of August or the first week of September.
Specialized training program in October for journalists intending to cover the upcoming COP30 Climate Summit.
High-level policy dialogue with government authorities to push climate awareness in national agendas.
Fellowship initiative for promising climate journalists from the SACCJF-BD network.
To coordinate the upcoming workshop, a three-member subcommittee has been formed, consisting of Jummatul Bida, Sajibur Rahman, and Emrul Kayesh. A sponsorship proposal will also be submitted by Mr. Shamsuddin Illius to support the workshop’s execution.
A Regional Call to Action
The meeting took place against the backdrop of sobering climate realities in South Asia. Over the past five decades, more than 750 million people across Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka have been impacted by climate-related disasters.
Research indicates that the Global South will bear the brunt of climate change, with South Asia among the most vulnerable regions. Alarmingly, projections suggest 62 million people in South Asia may be displaced by 2050 due to rising sea levels, floods, and extreme weather events.
Recognizing this threat, SACCJF-BD reiterated its commitment to building a cross-border network of climate journalists to amplify awareness, promote accountability, and foster coordinated reporting efforts across the region.
“In the face of a shared climate crisis, journalism must become a bridge between communities and action,” said President Masum Billah. “Our mission is to ensure that climate stories are not just reported, but heard and acted upon—across South Asia and beyond.”
With a clear roadmap and a collaborative spirit, SACCJF-BD is set to become a leading voice in the region’s climate narrative, driving awareness, action, and resilience from the ground up.