Thousands of young people and their platforms gathered on Friday for a Global Climate Strike in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka, advocating for #FixTheFinance.

They called for public investment banks and private sector organizations to redirect investments from fossil fuels and harmful agribusiness towards sustainable projects, renewable energy, and agroecology. The demand was clear: to end fossil finance and prioritize funding for their future.

More than five hundred climate activists, chanting slogans, convened at the Shaheed Minar after initiating the rally at the National Press Club and circling Doel Chattar.

The protest culminated in a resounding call for climate justice.

Participants of the Global Climate Strike emphasized that financiers from the Global North are primarily responsible for the man-made climate crisis, neocolonial exploitation, wars, and human rights violations.

Their profit-driven capitalist mindset has led to the largest emissions of greenhouse gases in history, disproportionately affecting youth, farmers, women, and marginalized communities in the Global South.

Moreover, these practices are exacerbating the ecological debt owed by the Global North to the communities most affected by the climate crisis.

Among the attendees were young activists from the Activista Bangladesh Platform of ActionAid Bangladesh and over 20 other youth organizations.

Activista volunteers from 21 districts and their seven local hubs also showed solidarity by staging demonstrations in various locations across the country, including Satkhira, Bagerhat, Noakhali, Kurigram, Cox’s Bazar, Chattogram, Jamalpur, Netrokona, Sunamganj, Mymensingh, Bhola, Sylhet, Kishoreganj, Nilphamari, Kushtia, Barishal, Teknaf, Barguna, and many others.

Farah Kabir, the country director of ActionAid Bangladesh, expressed support for the global youth-led climate actions, affirming ActionAid Bangladesh’s commitment to empowering young climate activists nationwide to demand climate justice.

Given Bangladesh’s status as one of the most climate-vulnerable countries, she echoed the call to end reliance on fossil fuels and facilitate green transitions.

Additionally, Kabir urged for an immediate ceasefire in Palestine, emphasizing solidarity with innocent civilians, particularly children and women, facing violence.

She underscored the significance of present choices in shaping the world for future generations and achieving justice.

In solidarity with the global community, young people also called for an immediate ceasefire in Palestine, denouncing the ongoing inhumane conflict and mourning the loss of innocent lives, especially children and infants.