On April 27, 2024, Saturday, at 11:30 AM, a Citizen Dialogue titled "Proposed Citizen Recommendations: Importance of Political Commitment for the Protection of Rivers" was convened by Waterkeepers Bangladesh in collaboration with USAID and Counterpart International at the ATM Shamsul Haque Auditorium in SIRDAP, Dhaka.

The event, chaired by Sharif Jamil, Coordinator of Waterkeepers Bangladesh, welcomed Advocate Md. Qamrul Islam MP, representing Dhaka 2 Constituency to the National Parliament, as the chief guest. Additionally, Advocate Gloria Jharna Sarkar, former Member of Parliament for Khulna (Reserved Women Seat); Alena Tansi from the USAID Bangladesh DRG Office; Katie Croke, Chief of Party at Counterpart International; and Malik Fida A Khan, Executive Director of the Center for Environmental and Geographic Information Services (CEGISS) were among the distinguished guests present.

Panelists at the citizen dialogue included Mohammad Golam Sarwar, Associate Lecturer at the Birbek School of Law, University of London, and Mostafa Alamgir Ratan, Head of the Media Department of the Bangladesh Workers Party. Additionally, Assistant Professor Mir Muhammad Ali, Chairman of the Aquaculture Department at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Camelia Chowdhury, Executive Director of Nagorik Odhikar Songrakkhon Forum, SM Jahangir Adel, Executive Director of Sacheton Nagorik Samaj Shangathan, Umme Salma, General Secretary of Nirapad chikitsa Chai, Jannati, a member of the Barogram Development Organization, Jannati Akter Ruma, President of the Turag Nadi Morchar Ghat Workers Union, Amzad Ali Lal, and Gaous Pearee Mukti, Director of WBB Trust, also delivered remarks.

The event aimed to address the pressing issue of river pollution and environmental degradation in Dhaka through policy advocacy and collaborative endeavors. Various stakeholders, including political figures, civil society representatives, and experts, gathered to deliberate on strategies for river protection and pollution prevention. Key topics covered included the involvement of political parties, public-private partnerships, and community engagement in environmental conservation. Attendees stressed the urgent need for the effective implementation of existing plans and policies, such as the establishment of water treatment plants and the enforcement of environmental regulations. Concerns were raised about the adverse effects of pollution on biodiversity and public health, underscoring the importance of unified action and responsible governance to address these issues. The event concluded with a call for collective endeavors to safeguard Dhaka's rivers and rejuvenate their health, highlighting the joint responsibility of both the government and citizens in fostering sustainable environmental stewardship.

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