Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Abdul Awal Mintoo has sought support from development partners, international institutions and private sector to address lead pollution aiming to protect public health.

He made the call while addressing a seminar titled “Advancing to a Lead-Free Bangladesh: Scaling Solutions, Driving Youth Action” here today.

Pure Earth, a non-government organisation, and the Department of Environment (DoE) jointly arranged the seminar at Pan Pacific Sonargaon hotel, marking the International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week 2026.

Speaking as the chief guest, Mintoo said under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the present government is committed to environmental protection as an essential part of public welfare and sustainable development. 

The National Green Mission reflects this direction through actions to protect forests and biodiversity, restore rivers and canals, and address pollution, he said.

He mentioned that the premier, in his recent speech at the United Nations General Assembly, highlighted Bangladesh’s environmental commitments, including planting 250 million trees over five years, promoting clean and solar energy, and excavating 20,000 kilometres of canals.

The environment minister said these initiatives demonstrate the importance the government places on environmental resilience and the well-being of our people.

“The same commitment must guide our response to toxic pollution. Preventing lead exposure protects children’s development, workers’ health and the ability of families to live and work in safer environments,” he said adding it is therefore an important part of the country’s development agenda.

On 17 August 2026, Mintoo said, the Cabinet approved the National Strategy and Multi-Year Action Plan for a Lead-Free Bangladesh for 2026-2035, which provides a comprehensive framework for coordinated action to reduce exposure and protect vulnerable communities.

He said the strategy has sets out short, medium and long-term action plan for surveillance and identification, policy and regulation, monitoring and enforcement, private-sector engagement, public awareness and education, research and innovation, and coordination across sectors.

It assigns responsibilities to the relevant ministries, agencies and stakeholders, providing a shared direction for implementation, the minister said.

“Our task now is to turn these priorities into funded work plans, capable institutions and measurable results.”

He said this requires sustained investment in testing and laboratory capacity, environmental monitoring, remediation, safer industrial practices and public health responses.

“We therefore seek financial and technical support from development partners, international institutions and the private sector, aligned with the national strategy,” Mintoo said.

He said specialist expertise, technology transfer, training and research collaboration will also be important. Such support should strengthen national institutions and help establish systems that can be maintained over the longer term, he said.

He said one important area of ongoing work is the development of an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework for the lead-acid battery industry.

This should clarify the responsibilities of producers, importers and other relevant actors, supporting organised collection, traceability and environmentally sound recycling, the minister said.

He said consultation with industry and other stakeholders will help ensure that the framework is practical, enforceable and protective of workers and surrounding communities.

“Our government remains committed to advancing this work under the leadership of the Honorable Prime Minister,” he said.

The minister called upon all concerned institutions and partners to carry forward their responsibilities with urgency and accountability, so that progress toward a lead-free Bangladesh can be seen in safer communities and healthier lives.

Prof Quazi Ahmed Zaki, director of IEDCR, and Muhammad Solaiman Haider, DoE additional director general, and Mitali Das, Country Director of Pure Earth Bangladesh, also spoke at the seminar with addition secretary of the environment ministry Mohammad Navid Safiullah in the chair.

Aftab Uz Zaman Khan, senior programme manager of Pure Earth Bangladesh, made a power point presentation at the seminar.