At present, there are no specialist international institutions working on climate change and development based in a developing country. The aim of the International Centre for Climate Change and Development is to develop a world-class institution that is closely related to local experience, knowledge and research in one of the countries that is most affected by climate change.

ICCCAD is intended to support growing capacity of Bangladesh stakeholders, while enabling people and organisations from outside to benefit from training in Bangladesh, where they can be exposed to the adaptation “experiments” and increasing knowledge.

By its focus on such work in Bangladesh, international participants will gain direct knowledge of the issues in a real-world context. Through the expertise of ICCCAD and its local partners, international organisations will be exposed to relevant and grounded knowledge that can be shared and transmitted around the world for the benefit of other LDCs, and their governments, donors and international NGOs.

ICCCAD will run regular short courses for NGOs, donors, the media, government staff, private sector, etc.

As well as initiating courses for local participants and Bangladeshi stakeholders, it will provide tailor-made courses for organisations and departments that are seeking to enhance their capacity in regard to climate change. It will also be running a MSc in Climate Change and Development with IUB (subject to approval by the UGC), and host PhD students from around the world.

ICCCAD draws on the existing expertise of three institutions of international repute - the International Institute for Environment and Development, the Independent University, Bangladesh, and the Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies, all of which are partners in its development.