At the Mymensingh Divisional Conference of Youth (COY), 11 September 2025, young changemakers gathered to confront escalating ecological challenges, presenting actionable solutions for river conservation, urban waste management, and renewable energy adoption.
Gathering near the banks of the historic Brahmaputra River, youth delegates at the Mymensingh Divisional COY voiced urgent concern over the accelerating degradation of local water bodies. Participants emphasized that unchecked pollution and untreated waste runoff are actively narrowing the Brahmaputra, threatening its aquatic biodiversity and severely reducing its navigability.
Tackling River Pollution Through Infrastructure and Lifestyle Shifts
Central to the discussions was the imperative to reform local municipal systems. Youth delegates issued a direct call for comprehensive upgrades to drainage infrastructure to ensure industrial and urban waste no longer discharges directly into regional waterways.
Alongside systemic infrastructural demands, the participants stressed the need for personal and community-wide environmental stewardship. The youth advocated for tangible lifestyle changes, specifically urging a shift toward sustainable transit by minimizing unnecessary vehicular transport and actively embracing cycling.
Emphasizing the need for holistic policy design, the participants articulated a clear guiding principle:
“While solving one problem, we must not create another. Every solution must come with thoughtful, alternative measures.”
Expanding Renewable Energy Skills and Enforcing Regulations
Turning their focus toward long-term climate resilience, the young delegates underscored the critical importance of a green economic transition. The forum called for expanded vocational pathways and hands-on skill-development opportunities in renewable energy, specifically focusing on solar panel installation, maintenance, and innovation. Equipping the next generation with technical expertise was highlighted as an essential step toward securing sustainable livelihoods in a climate-vulnerable future.
Addressing environmental governance, participants reiterated that ecological preservation requires shared responsibility. They noted that while young citizens must actively uphold sustainable habits, the government must demonstrate equal sincerity in enforcing national environmental regulations to hold polluters accountable.
Uniting Grassroots and Global Climate Frameworks
The Mymensingh Divisional COY is part of a global movement under YOUNGO—the Official Children and Youth Constituency of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Hosted in Bangladesh by Seecto Bangladesh, the conference was made possible through the collaborative support of:
- Shikkha Shastha Unnayan Karzakram (SHISUK)
- United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Bangladesh
- International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD)
- Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Research (C3ER), BRAC University
- SheRAA Women’s Climate Resilience and Adaptation Alliance
- Bonhishikha – Unlearn Gender
- Youth Empowerment in Climate Action Platform (YECAP)
The event’s successful grassroots mobilization was further driven by dedicated youth partners, including Youth for Future Bangladesh and Protigga Youth Organisations.
By channeling localized ecological realities into structured national dialogue, the young voices of Mymensingh are demonstrating that authentic, lasting climate solutions begin at the grassroots level—protecting vital lifelines like the Brahmaputra to build a cleaner, greener, and more resilient future.
