Khulna Correspondent:

A three-day 3rd coastal water convention-2026 kicked off in Khulna city on Sunday (Jan 25), aimed at finding a way out to solve acute water crisis in the south-western coastal belt of the country.

AOSED, a Khulna based non-government organisation is organising the convention in cooperation with 60 organisations including public universities, professionals, socio-economic organizations, journalists and NGOs.

Advisor for Centre for Climate Change and Environment Research, also Water Expert Prof Dr Ainun Nishat was present as chief guest and he formally opened the convention at around 12:30 pm at CSS Ava centre under Sadar thana in the city.

Regional Director of Water Aid of South Asian Region Dr Md Khairul Islam presided over the function. Member Secretary of the convention organizing committee, also Executive Director of AOSED Md Shamim Arefeen conducted the event. Prof Dr Kazi Maruful Islam of Dhaka University, Executive Director of Sundarban Academy Prof Anwarul Quadir, Abul Kalam Azad of Action Aid, Executive Director of Jaggrata Juba Sangho (JJS) ATM Zakir Hossain, Soma Dutta of Manusher Janno Foundation, Executive Director of LoCOS Deb Prosad Sarker, among others, spoke on the occasion.

The three-day programmes have been including workshop, seminar, discussion meeting, documentary film show, cultural programme and closing session.

The speakers said obstruction in the natural flow of tides, river erosion, silting, salinity increase, pollution, mismanagement, increase of vulnerability due to climate change, loss of people’s right on water resources and loss of indigenous sustainable management technologies are also listed for discussion in the convention.

Degradation of natural environment due to unnecessary human interventions without considering its ecology and people’s interest is affecting the water regime causing reduction of sweet water flow from upstream, they added. The speakers said crisis of safe drinking water turned acute in the south-western coastal areas of the country.

Addressing these challenges requires realistic, science-based policy formulation. They expressed optimism that responsible and constructive engagement by active participants will help build an effective, strong, and sustainable water advocacy platform. They also expressed hope that the spontaneous participation of all stakeholders will lead to a Khulna Declaration that offers important direction for tackling climate challenges.