IMPLEMENTATION OF GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL TREATIES IN BANGLADESH

This article examines the implementation of major global environmental treaties in Bangladesh. It provides an overview of the key multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) to which Bangladesh is a party, such as the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The study assesses the progress made by Bangladesh in translating its international commitments into national policies, laws, and on-the-ground actions. The research identifies the significant challenges to effective implementation, including a lack of institutional capacity, inadequate financial resources, a shortage of technical expertise, and poor coordination among different government agencies. The paper also explores the role of international assistance and civil society organizations in supporting the implementation process. The analysis concludes that while Bangladesh has demonstrated a strong political commitment to the global environmental agenda, a significant "implementation gap" remains, which requires a concerted national effort and enhanced international support to overcome.

As a country on the front line of global environmental challenges, Bangladesh has been an active and committed participant in the negotiation and ratification of major multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs). This paper provides a critical assessment of the country's record in the more difficult task of domestic implementation. The study is structured around the key environmental regimes. It analyzes the steps taken by Bangladesh to implement its obligations under the UNFCCC, focusing on the development of its National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA). It also examines the implementation of the CBD, including the formulation of a National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP). The core of the article is an in-depth analysis of the barriers to effective implementation. A primary challenge identified is the weakness of the designated national institutions, such as the Department of Environment, which often lack the financial resources, technical capacity, and political clout to enforce environmental laws effectively. The paper also highlights the problem of "mainstreaming," or the failure to integrate environmental considerations into the core planning processes of the major economic ministries. The crucial role of international financial and technical assistance in bridging the capacity gap is also discussed. The findings reveal a significant disconnect between the country's international commitments and its domestic capacity for action. The paper concludes that closing this implementation gap is the single most important environmental governance challenge facing Bangladesh.