Desk News || Turkey has expressed interest in strengthening cooperation with Bangladesh in several areas, including climate change adaptation, women’s and children’s healthcare, renewable energy and environmentally friendly product development. In particular, Turkish First Lady Emine Erdoğan has shown interest in sending a team of specialists to Bangladesh to share expertise and help address health challenges faced by women in coastal and disadvantaged communities affected by climate change.The proposals were discussed during a bilateral meeting between Dr. Zubaida Rahman, wife of Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, and Emine Erdoğan, wife of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Chairperson of the Zero Waste Foundation.The meeting took place on Tuesday in Antalya, Türkiye, on the sidelines of the COP31 climate conference.Foreign Affairs State Minister Shama Obaed Islam shared details of the discussion at a press conference held Tuesday night at the Papillon Zeugma Relaxury Hotel in Antalya. She described the meeting as highly productive, noting that it took place on the first day of Bangladesh’s participation in the climate summit.According to Shama Obaed, the discussions focused on potential cooperation between the two countries in addressing climate change, particularly its adverse effects on women and children. Emine Erdoğan also praised the resilience and adaptability of the Bangladeshi people in dealing with environmental challenges.Turkey expressed interest in supporting initiatives involving waste-to-energy production, solar power and other environmentally sustainable projects. Discussions also covered opportunities to expand the international market for Bangladeshi jute products, particularly biodegradable and eco-friendly alternatives to plastic. Emine Erdoğan reportedly showed particular interest in this sector.During the meeting, Dr. Zubaida Rahman highlighted Bangladesh’s progress in women’s empowerment and healthcare. She also drew attention to the health and social challenges faced by women and children as a result of climate change.She briefed the Turkish First Lady on several environmental initiatives undertaken by the government under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, including nationwide tree-planting and canal excavation programmes.Emine Erdoğan appreciated these initiatives and observed that there was considerable scope for Bangladesh and Türkiye to work together in renewable energy, jute-based products, women’s empowerment and climate change adaptation.The Rohingya crisis was also discussed during the meeting. Shama Obaed recalled that Emine Erdoğan had visited Bangladesh and the Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar in 2017, when hundreds of thousands of Rohingya people sought refuge in the country. Türkiye has continued providing humanitarian assistance to the displaced community since then.The State Minister stressed that the only sustainable solution to the Rohingya crisis is their safe, voluntary and dignified repatriation to Myanmar. Until that becomes possible, ensuring access to healthcare, education and other basic rights for the refugees remains essential. Emine Erdoğan assured Bangladesh of continued cooperation and support in addressing these humanitarian needs.The meeting also highlighted the growing health risks faced by women in Bangladesh’s coastal regions due to climate change. Issues such as climate-induced internal displacement and the resulting vulnerabilities among women were also raised.Shama Obaed said Emine Erdoğan expressed interest in sharing Türkiye’s experience in addressing these challenges with Bangladesh. As part of this initiative, she proposed sending a team of experts to work with Bangladesh’s Ministry of Health, particularly on improving maternal healthcare and addressing health problems affecting women in disadvantaged communities.At the conclusion of the meeting, Dr. Zubaida Rahman invited Emine Erdoğan to visit Bangladesh. Recalling her 2017 visit, the Turkish First Lady also expressed her desire to return to the country and hoped to make the trip in the near future at a convenient time.