The Economic Relations Division (ERD), in partnership with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and Impact Investment Exchange (IIX), on Thursday discussed introducing Orange Bonds in Bangladesh.
This innovative financing initiative aims to drive gender equity, climate action, and economic growth by mobilizing up to $1 billion through sustainable bond issuances.
The consultation, “Rebuilding an Inclusive Bangladesh with Orange Bonds,” is part of UNDP’s Governance of Climate Change Finance (GCCF) program, supported by the Swedish government.
Addressing as chief guest, Salehuddin Ahmed, adviser to the Ministry of Finance, highlighted the significance of the initiative: "Orange Bonds offer Bangladesh a pathway to a resilient, inclusive future, aligning with our vision for ‘Bangladesh 2.0.’ By mobilizing $1 billion across key sectors such as garments, green infrastructure, and agriculture, we are strengthening our financial ecosystem and paving the way for private sector investment to support sustainable development.”
Shariar Kader Siddiki, secretary of the External Resources Division, underscored the importance of policy readiness for the initiative: “This consultation marks a critical step in preparing Bangladesh’s financial landscape for Orange Bonds. We are committed to ensuring this initiative is backed by strong policy reforms, stakeholder engagement, and a robust market framework.”
Stefan Liller, UNDP resident representative, said: “Climate finance needs to focus on mitigation and adaptation, but is currently skewed towards mitigation, accounting for over 90% of funding. Given Bangladesh's development journey, it is crucial to secure substantial financing from diverse sources, including private sector engagement in climate finance and mechanisms like climate risk insurance, Islamic finance, thematic bonds, blended finance, and carbon trading. Many climate investments not only address urgent challenges but also deliver strong economic returns and create valuable job opportunities”.
Prof Durreen Shahnaz, Founder & CEO of IIX, presented a keynote on “Rebuilding an Inclusive Bangladesh: Orange Bonds,” outlining how the Orange Bonds initiative seeks to attract diverse investment sources, including the Bangladeshi diaspora, development finance institutions (DFIs), and global capital markets.
Maria Stridsman, head of development cooperation and deputy head of mission, Sida, spoke on “Climate and Gender: Intersection and Interventions,” while Lamiya Morshed, principal coordinator for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the Chief Adviser’s Office, presented insights on “International Cooperation and Partnerships for Capital Market Development.”
Morshed highlighted the global significance of the initiative: "The work of Bangladesh Orange Bond initiative embodies the same spirit of sustainable and inclusive finance that we have been working on – so we are very excited to share our encouragement for this and see it come to reality.”
Prof. Durreen Shahnaz, founder and CEO of Impact Investment Exchange (IIX), further emphasized the strategic nature of this initiative: “The Orange Bond – is not just a financial vehicle; it is a powerful tool with a mission rooted in gender equality, climate action, and inclusive growth.”