The two-day “Bengal Delta Conference 2025” began in Dhaka on Friday (August 29), with an inaugural ceremony at 9 am at the Grand Ballroom of Hotel InterContinental.

Organized by the research institute Dacca Institute of Research and Analytics (daira), this year’s conference is being held under the theme “Bangladesh at the Crossroads: Rethinking Politics, Rethinking Economy, Rethinking Geopolitical Strategy.”

Professor Dr. Mushtaq Khan, from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, delivered the opening speech. Reflecting on the hardships faced by students under the previous fascist regime and their subsequent activism post-uprising, he welcomed daira’s initiative. He then discussed Bangladesh’s politics and geopolitics, stating, “Politics must be open. We must rethink the sources of political party funding.” He emphasized that the uprising has made it clear to politicians that returning to the old political settlement is impossible, as the people will no longer accept it.

The keynote address was delivered by Mohammad Touhid Hossain, Foreign Affairs Adviser to the Interim Government. He highlighted the significance of the July Uprising in Bangladesh's political history, stating, “The youth of Bangladesh will not allow the country to return to the political reality of pre-2024.” He also addressed issues such as the Ukraine war, the genocide in Gaza, the Israel-US-Iran relations, and the global context of US tariffs. Speaking about education systems in countries like Bangladesh, he said, “Educational inequality is the most serious issue. A very small group gets access to quality education, and this must change.”

Professor Dr. Maszlee bin Malik, former Education Minister of Malaysia, spoke as a Special Guest. He stated that Bangladesh could become a beacon of hope for the Global South. He praised Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the current Chief Adviser of Bangladesh, for his leadership. He emphasized the need for Bangladesh to shift from a labor-based economy to a knowledge-based economy and discussed the potential for Bangladesh’s ocean-centered economy. He also highlighted the positive prospects for Bangladesh's future relationship with the ASEAN regional cooperation organization, saying, “Bangladesh will find ASEAN by its side in resolving the Rohingya crisis.”

Dipak Gyawali, former Minister of Water Resources of Nepal, spoke about the significance of Bangladesh’s people’s uprising, saying, “The people’s uprising in Bangladesh is not only a milestone for the delta but for the entire South Asian region.” He stressed that alongside democracy, good governance is also crucial for the state.

Professor Niaz Ahmed Khan, Vice Chancellor of the University of Dhaka, also commented that the delta has not received adequate academic attention, making daira’s initiative highly significant.

The event was also graced by two prominent media figures from Bangladesh and India: Siddharth Varadarajan, founder and editor of the India-based online media The Wire, and Mahfuz Anam, editor of The Daily Star (Bangladesh). Siddharth Varadarajan stated, “The path Bangladesh is currently on has global implications. However, the country’s biggest weakness is economic inequality.”

Mahfuz Anam, reflecting on the political trajectory of the country, remarked, “Bangladesh’s biggest problem is that politicians use democracy as a ladder to enter parliament.”

Dacca Institute of Research and Analytics (daira) is a Dhaka-based think tank dedicated to the production and advancement of knowledge about the Bengal Delta. The institute focuses on understanding the socio-political, economic, and cultural dynamics of Bangladesh in both regional and global contexts.