The meeting took place at the office of Jhalakathi Deputy Commissioner Md Johor Ali on Monday, with the presence of additional secretaries from the ministry of environment, forest and climate change, Sanjay Kumar Bhowmik and Md Mizanul Haque Chowdhury, as stated by the UNDP. During the discussion, Malik Fida A Khan, executive director of the CEGIS, emphasized the importance of the National Adaptation Plan (NAP), describing it as a process driven by the country and involving participation from various stakeholders. He highlighted that NAP aims to address Bangladesh's medium to long-term adaptation needs, ultimately transforming the country into a climate-resilient nation. Khan also mentioned that NAP will focus on addressing the climate vulnerability of coastal regions, bridging existing capacity gaps, and establishing a knowledge management system for climate change adaptation. The consultation focused on discussing the significant climate-related dangers in various coastal districts, the strategies farmers are employing to adapt, and the factors influencing their decisions. Coastal districts like Jhalakathi are particularly vulnerable to rising salinity levels in both groundwater and surface water due to sea level increases caused by global warming. Participants acknowledged that smallholder farmers' livelihoods are at risk from climate-related hazards such as cyclones, soil and water salinity increases, storm surges, heavy rainfall, flooding, and waterlogging. They emphasized the importance of a comprehensive plan to tackle these challenges. AKM Azad Rahman, a program officer for climate change at the UNDP, stated that "UNDP will fully support Bangladesh in its efforts to combat climate change." Sanjay Bhowmik emphasized the importance of collaborating with the government to develop sustainable projects in coastal areas. He stated that the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) will guide their efforts and be integrated into national planning. Ownership of the NAP will be shared through consultation. Success will require partnerships at both national and local levels. Mizanul, the national project director of the NAP Formulation Project, highlighted the need to align NAP with national planning processes and emphasized the importance of awareness to address climate change and protect the environment. Johor Ali suggested rainwater harvesting as an effective strategy for adaptation in coastal regions. The event was organized by the ministry, Economic Relations Division, and the UNDP with assistance from the Green Climate Fund.