Bangladesh and the Maldives have reaffirmed their shared commitment to tackling climate change and promoting environmental sustainability, with both countries advancing ambitious national tree-planting programmes aimed at expanding green cover and strengthening climate resilience.

During an official visit to the Maldives, Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman planted a Christina tree at Lonuziyaarai Park in Malé under the Maldives' "Five Million Trees Project," an initiative launched by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu. According to The Business Standard, the symbolic tree planting underscored the growing environmental cooperation between the two climate-vulnerable South Asian nations.

Speaking after the ceremony, Rahman praised President Muizzu's nationwide afforestation campaign and said Bangladesh is pursuing a similar long-term initiative to plant 250 million trees over the next five years. He noted that both programmes reflect a common vision of protecting biodiversity, mitigating the impacts of climate change and ensuring a healthier environment for future generations.

The foreign minister said Bangladesh and the Maldives, despite their different geographical landscapes, face many of the same climate-related challenges, making environmental cooperation an important pillar of bilateral relations.

Earlier on Saturday, Rahman attended the Maldives' 61st Independence Day Parade at Republic Square in Malé. The ceremony featured a ceremonial march-past and demonstrations by different branches of the Maldives National Defence Force, highlighting the country's military professionalism, national heritage and pride as it celebrated 61 years of independence.

Rahman is visiting the Maldives at the invitation of the Maldivian government as a special guest for the country's Independence Day celebrations, reflecting the warm and growing ties between the two South Asian nations.

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