Expressing solidarity with the global climate justice movement, Youth Action for Justice and Development (JYDA Bangladesh) organised the “Global Climate Strike 2026” in Cox’s Bazar on Friday, where young people gathered to demand renewable energy, affordable electricity and energy justice for all.
The programme was moderated by JYDA Bangladesh volunteer Moin Uddin. Welcome remarks were delivered by JYDA Bangladesh Programme Coordinator Jahanara Sultana Akhi, while the event was presided over by the organisation’s adviser Abul Mabrur Md Hamed Hasan.
The event brought together members of various youth organisations, students, volunteers and climate-conscious young people. Several organisations joined the programme in solidarity, including Youth Action for Rights & Justice (YARJ), Youth Alliance for Sustainable International Development (YASID), Unity Power Youth Welfare Organization (Unity Power Bangladesh), SSD Youth Foundation and Prochesta Cox’s Bazar Youth Development Foundation.
A street discussion was held at Rumaliarchhara near Hashemia Madrasa in Cox’s Bazar, where youth organisers and representatives from participating organisations spoke on climate-related issues. A rally later began from the discussion venue and ended in front of the PT School.
Speakers said climate change was no longer a crisis of the future, but a present-day reality severely affecting Bangladesh’s coastal regions, agriculture, food security, livelihoods, and normal life. They noted that the impacts were even more visible in climate-vulnerable areas such as Cox’s Bazar.
The speakers also stressed the need to reduce excessive dependence on fossil fuels and increase investment in solar, wind, and other renewable energy sources. They called for affordable, sustainable energy services for ordinary people.
Rahma, a representative of YARJ, said young people were among the worst sufferers of climate change and effective measures must be taken immediately to ensure a just and sustainable future.
YASID representative Mithun said increased investment in renewable energy would not only protect the environment but also create new opportunities for economic growth and employment.
Emon, representing Unity Power, said climate challenges could not be addressed without active youth participation, and more effective youth-led initiatives must be taken at the local level.
SSD representative Md Tahim said the government, development agencies, and young people must work together to build a climate-resilient society.
Mohammad Shahidul Islam Shahid, vice-chairman of Prochesta Cox’s Bazar Youth Development Foundation, said they were proud to take part in the Global Climate Strike 2026 and that the united stance of young people in a climate-vulnerable region like Cox’s Bazar carried a message of hope for future generations.
Jahanara Sultana Akhi said Bangladesh contributed very little to global carbon emissions yet remained among the countries suffering the most from the impacts of climate change. She said communities affected by climate change were still not receiving fair compensation from highly polluting developed nations and called for ensuring fair climate compensation for affected people, alongside promoting environmentally friendly lifestyles by reducing water and resource waste.
Presiding over the programme, Abul Mabrur Md Hamed Hasan said cyclones, excessive rainfall, heatwaves, rising salinity, biodiversity loss, and growing crises in agriculture and livelihoods were constant reminders that nature was under threat.
“In this situation, the role of young people is extremely important. Today’s youth are the policymakers, innovators, and leaders of change of tomorrow,” he said.
Participants displayed placards and chanted slogans to raise awareness during the programme. Organisers called on the government to increase investment in renewable energy, ensure environmentally friendly public services, involve young people in decision-making processes and strengthen climate-resilient initiatives at the local level.
Organisers said such youth-led initiatives would be expanded further in the future to enhance public awareness and bring positive policy-level changes in addressing the climate crisis.
The programme concluded with the closing remarks of the chair.
Cox’s Bazar Life Report
Photo: Courtesy
