The meeting took place at the office of Jhalakathi Deputy Commissioner Md Johor Ali on Monday, with the additional secretaries to the ministry of environment, forest and climate change, Sanjay Kumar Bhowmik and Md Mizanul Haque Chowdhury, also in attendance, as stated in a release from the UNDP. During the presentation, Malik Fida A Khan, executive director of CEGIS, emphasized the importance of the National Adaptation Plan (NAP), highlighting that it is a participatory and country-driven process that will address Bangladesh's medium to long-term adaptation needs and help transform the country into one that is resilient to climate change. Khan also mentioned that NAP will focus on the climate vulnerabilities of coastal regions, address capacity gaps, and establish a knowledge management system for climate change adaptation. The consultation addressed the significant climatic risks present in various coastal districts, including Jhalakathi, and discussed the adaptation strategies utilized by farmers and the factors influencing their choice of strategies. Jhalakathi and similar coastal areas face heightened salinity in both groundwater and surface water resources, particularly along the coast, due to rising sea levels caused by global warming. Participants recognized that smallholder farmers' livelihoods are at risk due to climatic hazards like cyclones, soil and water salinity, storm surges, heavy rainfall, and the resulting flooding and waterlogging. They emphasized the need for a comprehensive plan to tackle these challenges. AKM Azad Rahman, a UNDP climate change program officer, pledged full support from the UNDP to Bangladesh in the fight against climate change. Sanjay Bhowmik stated that they are collaborating closely with the government to create sustainable projects in coastal areas. He mentioned that the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) will guide their efforts and will be integrated into national planning. Ownership of the NAP is being transferred through consultations. Bhowmik stressed the importance of partnerships at both national and local levels for successful implementation of the NAP. Mizanul, the national project director, explained that the NAP will align with national planning processes and support various existing plans. He highlighted the need to raise awareness to address climate change and protect the environment. Johor Ali suggested that rainwater harvesting could be a beneficial adaptation strategy for coastal regions. The event was co-organised by the ministry, Economic Relations Division, and the UNDP with assistance from the Green Climate Fund.