Dhaka Hosts Bengal Delta Conference 2025: Youth Urged to Transform Bangladesh’s Political Landscape

Dhaka, August 29, 2025 – Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain emphasized the need to empower the younger generation to drive fundamental changes in Bangladesh’s political culture during the inaugural session of the two-day Bengal Delta Conference 2025, organized by the Dacca Institute of Research and Analytics (daira) in Dhaka. The conference, themed "Bangladesh at Crossroads: Rethinking Politics, Economics, and Geopolitical Strategy," brought together prominent academics, policymakers, and thought leaders to discuss the nation’s future.

Speaking at the event, Adviser Hossain stressed the importance of an improved education system and enhanced opportunities for youth to rebuild the country and its institutions. “Politics is still in the hands of our generation of politicians,” he said, expressing confidence that the youth, with time and experience, will reshape the political system. “I am absolutely confident that the young generation will make basic changes in the system,” he added, acknowledging that mistakes may occur but will pave the way for a stronger, fairer political culture. Hossain underscored education as a critical priority for Bangladesh, given its large population and limited resources. He highlighted the disparity in access to quality education, noting that while a small segment of the population benefits from high-quality education, rural areas suffer from a severely inadequate system. “This is one area we need to do a lot,” he said, calling for reforms in both primary and higher education to redefine the nation’s political culture. Reflecting on the July Uprising, a pivotal moment in Bangladesh’s recent history, Hossain paid tribute to those who lost their lives in the movement, emphasizing that the youth will not allow a return to the pre-2024 political status quo. He also touched on global issues, including the Ukraine war, the Gaza conflict, Israel-US-Iran relations, and the impact of US tariffs. The conference featured distinguished speakers, including Dr. Mushtaq H. Khan, Professor of Economics at SOAS University of London, who delivered the welcome address. Khan emphasized the need for transparent political funding and praised the uprising for making it clear that the old political order is no longer acceptable. “Politics must be open. We must rethink the sources of political party funding,” he said. Professor Dr. Maszlee bin Malik, former Malaysian Education Minister and Chairman of the International Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies, described Bangladesh as a potential “beacon of hope” for the Global South. He lauded Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus for his leadership and urged Bangladesh to transition from a labor-based to a knowledge-based economy while leveraging its ocean-centered economic potential. Malik also expressed optimism about Bangladesh’s future ties with ASEAN, particularly in addressing the Rohingya crisis. Dipak Gyawali, former Nepalese Minister of Water Resources, called the July Uprising a milestone not only for Bangladesh but for South Asia as a whole, stressing the importance of good governance alongside democracy. Meanwhile, Professor Niaz Ahmed Khan, Vice Chancellor of the University of Dhaka, noted that the Bengal Delta has been understudied, making daira’s initiative significant. Siddharth Varadarajan, founder and editor of India-based The Wire, highlighted the global implications of Bangladesh’s current trajectory but cautioned that economic inequality remains a major challenge. Mahfuz Anam, Editor and Publisher of The Daily Star, criticized the tendency of politicians to use democracy as a tool to gain power, urging a shift in political practices. The session, chaired by Shehrin Amin Bhuiya, Assistant Professor of Public Administration at the University of Dhaka, began with the national anthem and a minute of silence to honor the martyrs of the July Uprising. A documentary on the uprising and Bangladesh’s socio-political context was also presented. The Dacca Institute of Research and Analytics (daira), a Dhaka-based think tank, organized the conference to foster dialogue on Bangladesh’s socio-political, economic, and cultural dynamics within regional and global contexts. The event marks a critical step in rethinking the nation’s strategies at a transformative juncture in its history.