The inaugural ceremony of the Bengal Delta Conference 2026, organized by the Dacca Institute of Research and Analytics (daira), was held on Friday in the Ruposhi Bangla Ballroom of Hotel InterContinental, Dhaka. Held under the theme “Emerging Orders, Uncharted Times, Politics of Care,” the international conference brought together academics, policymakers, diplomats, researchers, and students to discuss contemporary political, economic, and social challenges.
LGRD and Co-operatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir attended the inaugural session as the Chief Guest. Professor Mushtaq Khan, professor of Economics at SOAS University of London, delivered the opening remarks. Abdullah Jihad, former vice president of the Maldives, and professor Dr ABM Obaidul Islam, vice-chancellor of the University of Dhaka, attended the session as Special Guests.
The session commenced with a welcome address, followed by the National Anthem. An introductory video highlighting the conference theme, “Emerging Orders, Uncharted Times, Politics of Care,” was then screened.
In his opening remarks, Professor Mushtaq Khan stated that although Bangladesh has entered a new democratic phase, it continues to face significant economic and institutional challenges. He emphasized the need to build new strategic alliances and strengthen international cooperation amid growing global political and economic uncertainty. The conference was intended not to provide immediate solutions but to create a platform for constructive dialogue and collaborative thinking on issues including the economy, politics, minority rights and refugee affairs, he noted.
Professor Dr ABM Obaidul Islam highlighted that, like many countries in the Global South, Bangladesh’s future depends on knowledge generation, research and interdisciplinary collaboration. He stressed the importance of strengthening research institutions, promoting interdisciplinary dialogue, and creating greater opportunities for young researchers. He further explained that Politics of Care represents a commitment to good governance, humane working environments, inclusive technology and responsibility towards students.
Abdullah Jihad reflected on the shared challenges and opportunities facing Bangladesh and the Maldives. He emphasized the importance of long-term preparedness and prioritizing people’s well-being in responding to climate change, economic uncertainty and global instability. He also called for stronger regional cooperation through knowledge sharing, the blue economy, renewable energy, social protection and sustainable development.
In his speech, Chief Guest Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir paid tribute to the students who sacrificed their lives during the 2024 mass uprising. He stated that despite global political uncertainty, Bangladesh is moving forward with political and economic reconstruction. Reaffirming the government’s commitment to national reforms, democratic practice, inclusive development and the representation of minority communities, he called for strengthening democracy and advancing a people-centred development agenda.
The inaugural ceremony concluded with the presentation of tokens of appreciation to the distinguished guests. On behalf of daira, sincere gratitude was extended to the speakers, participants, partners and everyone who contributed to the successful organisation of the inaugural session.