Speaking to reporters following a high-level meeting at the Bangladesh Secretariat with representatives from UNICEF, the World Bank, and WaterAid, Minister Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan underscored the urgent need to address growing water scarcity, upstream water withdrawal, northern desertification, and rising southern coastal salinity. The minister noted that declining freshwater flows from upstream rivers have triggered severe drinking water crises in both northern and southern districts. To combat these climate and transboundary challenges, the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives (LGRD) is leading a multi-agency strategy alongside UN bodies and international development organizations to mobilize funding and establish sustainable clean water supply infrastructure across the country.