The government is open to advice from civil society and experts in shaping policies that serve the public interest, Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan said on Thursday.

“We want to formulate a policy that will genuinely serve the welfare of the people of this country,” he said.

Khan made the remarks at a national dialogue titled “From Paris to Antalya: Review of Climate Finance for Nature,” organised by Change Initiative at a hotel in Banani.

The event brought together climate experts, policymakers and international representatives.

Expressing concern over the slow pace of global climate action over the past three decades, Moyeen recalled a speech on the environment he delivered at the United Nations 35 years ago.

He lamented that fundamental issues discussed then, such as the "polluter pays" principle, remain unresolved worldwide.

"Sometimes it feels that the environmental fears and concerns we raised at the United Nations 35 years ago are the same ones we are repeating today," he said.

Wealthy countries, which are responsible for the largest share of global greenhouse gas emissions, have historically failed to accept their responsibility, he said, leaving the global environment in a continually worsening state.

The minister highlighted the difficult choices facing elected representatives in developing countries like Bangladesh. While ordinary people want immediate infrastructure, roads and industrial development, he said, leaders must balance those short-term expectations against long-term environmental sustainability.

In this context he cited the Prime Minister's openness to public opinion, saying it is an example from which the people of the country can learn.

Turning to climate finance and national debt, Moyeen said borrowing is not in itself a major problem; the real issue is how the money is used.

Bangladesh has borrowed for development for many years, he said, yet has not been placed on the international list of heavily indebted poor countries, and has maintained its ability to repay.

He attributed this largely to the country's strong informal economy, which he estimated at roughly 60% to 70% of the total economy and which sustains the livelihoods of tens of millions of people.

Citing Germany's post-World War II reconstruction, he said borrowing for development can be a far-sighted strategy if invested in the right places and used transparently.

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