A Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue on Climate Migration Management was held on 15 March 2026 in Jashore. The dialogue convened 30+ participants including representatives from Jashore Municipality, government line agencies, private sector actors, civil society organisations, research institutions, and climate migrant communities, while Dr. Ainun Nishat, Emeritus Professor of BRAC University and globally recognised climate expert, was invited to share his insights.
The dialogue was organised under Swisscontact’s Shompritee - Towards Locally Led Cooperation for Climate Migrants project. The initiative is jointly funded by the Embassy of Switzerland/the Government of Switzerland and Lokales Wasser/Max Ditting AG and implemented by Swisscontact Bangladesh. The dialogue was designed to strengthen the understanding of local stakeholders on climate change, migration dynamics, and their implications in urban settings, while also creating a platform to identify locally relevant adaptation priorities and municipal response pathways. It also provided an opportunity to explore how locally generated evidence can inform national policy processes.
Professor Dr. Ainun Nishat shared his insights on climate change, adaptation, and migration in the context of Bangladesh. He highlighted the evolving and uncertain nature of climate migration, emphasising that it cannot be understood solely through historical data and requires forward-looking, adaptive responses. Drawing on practical examples, he illustrated how climate change is already affecting ecosystems and livelihoods, reinforcing the urgency for locally grounded and context-specific solutions.
Throughout the dialogue, participants engaged in a moderated discussion on the challenges and opportunities associated with climate migration in Jashore. Key issues included increasing demand for urban services, gaps in municipal data systems, housing constraints, and the need for stronger livelihood pathways for migrant populations. The discussion also helped surface practical entry points for municipal action, including improved resource management, skills development aligned with market demand, and more inclusive service delivery approaches.
Reflecting on the municipality’s perspective, the Chief Executive Officer of Jashore Municipality emphasised the urgency of strengthening planning and institutional systems:
The dialogue concluded with a shared understanding among stakeholders on both the challenges and opportunities of climate migration in urban settings. Insights generated from the discussions will contribute to the ongoing development of the Municipal Adaptation Plan and inform the national level policy process.
By strengthening local understanding and linking practice with policy, the initiative positions Jashore as an emerging example of how locally led, multi-stakeholders’ collective approaches can drive effective climate migration adaptation and inclusive urban development in Bangladesh.