Monday, November 18
09:30 – 10:30 Venue: Surma
Conversation over Tea (By Invitation Only)
Silenced: The Rise of Internet Shutdowns in a Divided World
Internet shutdowns and communication blackouts are increasingly used as tools of censorship, stifling dissent and isolating communities. This panel will explore the impact of these shutdowns on democracy and human rights, using examples like India’s prolonged shutdowns in Kashmir, Myanmar’s internet blackouts during military crackdowns, and Bangladesh’s manufactured internet outage during the July mass uprising. Panelists will discuss the social, economic, and human rights costs of these shutdowns, as well as the urgent need for international responses to protect freedom of expression and the right to information in fractured societies.
ABM Shamsud Doza, Journalist, The Daily Star, Bangladesh
Leonardo Paz Neves, Researcher, International Intelligence Unit, Getulio Vargas Foundation, Brazil
S. M. Shameem Reza, Professor, Department of Mass Communication & Journalism, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh
David Patrician, Journalist and International Event Moderator, Poland (Moderator)
Venue: Meghna
Conversation over Tea (By Invitation Only)
Learning for Liberty: Education as a Pillar of Democracy and Human Rights
Education shapes societies and is crucial for nurturing democratic principles and human rights awareness. This panel will examine how programs like India’s constitution-focused school initiatives and Brazil’s youth civic engagement projects have empowered young citizens to participate in democratic processes. Panelists will discuss how similar educational reforms can be adopted to foster a more informed, engaged populace capable of safeguarding democracy and standing up for rights in an increasingly polarised world.
Abdullah Rasheed Ahmed, Former State Minister, Ministry of Education, Maldives
Andrés Chiriboga Zumárraga, Former Vice Minister of Education, Ecuador
Suvojit Bagchi, India Correspondent, Prothom Alo
Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah, Professor, Department of Public Administration, University of Dhaka (Moderator)
Conversation over Tea (By Invitation Only) Venue: Chitra
Defending the Defenders: Solutions for a Safer World for Human Rights Advocates
Description: As authoritarianism rises and civic spaces shrink, protecting human rights defenders has become more urgent than ever. This panel will focus on practical solutions to support activists under threat, discussing cases like the detention of human rights defenders in Egypt, media restrictions in Myanmar, and restrictions on protest rights in Hong Kong. Experts will examine how governments, NGOs, and the international community can collaborate to provide legal protections, emergency aid, and mental health support to those risking their lives to uphold justice and human dignity.
Huma Khan, Senior Human Rights Adviser, UN Resident Coordinator's Office, Bangladesh
Rani Yan Yan, Advisor of the Chakma Circle Chief, Bangladesh
Shanthie Mariet D'Souza, Founder, Mantraya Institute for Strategic Studies (MISS), India
Tasneem Khalil, Editor-in-chief, Netra News, Sweden (Moderator)
Conversation over Tea (By Invitation Only) Venue: Padma
The Great Game Reloaded: Power, Policy, and Partnerships in the Indo-Pacific
Description: In a region where economic and military interests overlap, the Indo-Pacific has become a hotspot for strategic rivalry and evolving alliances. This panel will discuss the foreign policy challenges faced by countries navigating between competing influences, such as the U.S., China, and regional players like Japan and Australia. Using examples like the Quad (U.S., Japan, India, Australia) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), panelists will explore how countries can foster connectivity and strengthen security partnerships while managing the complexities of geopolitical competition.
Speakers:
Amena Mohsin, Former Professor, Department of International Relations, University of Dhaka
Constantino Xavier, Senior Fellow, Centre for Social and Economic Progress (CSEP), New Delhi
Jovan Ratkovic, Senior Fellow, Agora Strategy Group AG, Germany
Javad Heiran-Nia, Director, Persian Gulf Studies Group, Center for Scientific Research and Middle East Strategic Studies, Iran (Moderator)
11:00 – 12:40 Venue: Grand Ballroom
Driving Decarbonization in Bangladesh: The Strategic Role of Corporate Power Purchase Agreements
Bangladesh, often called the “Silent Victim” of climate change, has been battling the global environmental issue. The threats are increasing daily as the sea level rises, frequent extreme weather events are occurring, and changing weather patterns are more visible than ever. With multifaceted strategies, Bangladesh is pioneering innovative solutions to address the pressing challenges. Energy is closely linked to climate change as it serves as both a driver and a solution to the challenges posed by a warming planet. Climate-resilient energy supply, diversified energy mix including solar and wind, improved energy efficiency, and cross-border renewable energy trading are essential components to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. By strengthening energy systems, transitioning to clean and renewable energy sources, and promoting energy-efficient technologies, communities can enhance
their resilience to climate impacts. The session objectives are to highlight the need for Corporate Power Purchase Agreements in Bangladesh to enable a faster decarbonization pathway and to discuss the current challenges, opportunities, and recommendations for establishing a Corporate Power Purchase Agreement framework in Bangladesh.
Speakers:
Alam Hossain Mondal, Deputy, Chief of Party, USAID-BADGE
Syeeda Meer, Director of Energy Procurement and Project Finance, USAID-BADGE
Abdullah Hil Rakib, Former Vice President, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA)
Rezaul Karim, Chairman, Bangladesh Power Development Board
Reed Aeschliman, Mission Director, USAID, Bangladesh
Faisal Rabbi, Energy Specialist, the World Bank
Farhana Islam, Director and Head, ESG, Grameenphone Limited, Bangladesh
Ziaur Rahman, Country Manager, H&M, Bangladesh
Shayan Shafi, Energy Team Leader, USAID Bangladesh (Moderator)
12:40 – 14:00 Venue: Grand Ballroom
The Human Cost of Progress: Rights as Pillars of Sustainable Development
In many parts of Asia, development has led to substantial growth but has sometimes compromised essential rights, from labor protections to environmental safeguards. This session will explore examples like Indonesia’s palm oil industry, which faces international scrutiny over human rights abuses, and China’s Belt and Road projects in the Indo-Pacific, where community rights are often overshadowed. Panelists will discuss how centering human rights in development frameworks can lead to more stable, just, and inclusive societies that reflect the region’s commitment to both progress and human dignity.
Speakers:
Sheikh Mohammad Daniel, director of Sonali Life Insurance, Bangladesh
Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin, Former Minister of Plantation and Commodities of Malaysia
David Morris, CEO, Australia China Business Council
Gwyn Lewis, UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh
Ishrat Hossain, Research Fellow, German Institute for Global and Area Studies
Irfan Yar, Founder and Managing Director, Afghanistan Security Institute, Canada (Moderator)
14:00 – 15:00
Lunch Venue: Oasis
15:00 – 15:10 Venue: Grand Ballroom
Speed Talks
Debapriya Bhattacharya, Distinguished Fellow, Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD)
15:10 – 16:20 Venue: Grand Ballroom
Narratives of Hope: Media, Civil Society, and the Pursuit of Peace
Amid the fractures of our time, media and civil society serve as beacons of hope and agents of change. This panel explores how truthful reporting, constructive dialogue, and community-driven action can reduce tensions and foster peace. Panelists will discuss how these sectors can reshape narratives around conflict and security, influence public opinion, and advocate for policies that encourage reconciliation in fractured societies.
Speakers:
Arjun Singh Kadian, Assistant Professor, Rishihood University
Debjyoti Chanda, Professor, Department of Mass Communication, Rabindra Bharati University, India
Felix Gerdes, Resident Representative, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES)
Navine Murshid, Associate Professor of Political Science, Colgate University, USA
Sohail Mahmood, Director General Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) & Former Foreign Secretary, Pakistan
David Patrician, Journalist and International Event Moderator (Moderator)
16:20 – 16:30 Venue: Grand Ballroom
Ambassadorial Reflections
Syed Ahmed Maroof, Pakistan High Commissioner in Bangladesh
16:30 – 17:40 Venue: Grand Ballroom
Beyond Aid: New Models of Collaboration between the Global North and South
As the world becomes more polarised, development partnerships between the Global North and South are evolving from aid dependency to collaborative investment and knowledge exchange. This session will examine innovative examples like the EU’s Global Gateway project, which aims to offer a sustainable alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative, and Africa’s strategic alliances with both Western and Eastern partners for infrastructure and technology. Panelists will discuss how these new models can bridge development divides, promote equitable growth, and create resilience in a fragmented world.
Keynote:
Boris Tadic, Former President of Serbia; Member, Club de Madrid
Speakers:
Park Young-sik, Ambassador, Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Bangladesh
Moussa Mara, Former Prime Minister of Mali; Member, Club de Madrid
Stefan Liller, UNDP Resident Representative in Bangladesh
Kazi Faisal Bin Seraj, Country Representative, The Asia Foundation Bangladesh
Corinne Henchoz Pignani, Deputy Head of Mission / Head of Cooperation - Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh (Moderator)
17:40 – 18:00 Venue: Grand Ballroom
Closing
Zillur Rahman, Executive Director, CGS; Chair, Bay of Bengal Conversation, Bangladesh
18:00 – 18:30
Tea / Coffee Venue: Oasis
20:00 – 23:00 Venue: Grand Ballroom
After Event Party (By Invitation Only)
Studio Session Venue: Titas
11:00 to 11:30
Redefining Diplomacy in a Divided World
Ario Bimo, Assistant Professor, East Java Veterans National Development University, Indonesia
Sabyasachi Dutta, Executive Director, Asian Confluence, India
Leo Wigger, Director, South Asia and Eurasia at Candid Foundation; Editor, Zenith Magazine, Germany (Moderator)
12:00 to 12:30
How to Ensure Regional Integration in Asia
Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, Chairman, Sanober Institute, Islamabad; Former Foreign Secretary of Pakistan
Wu Lin, Associate Professor, Institute of Asian Studies (IAS), China Foreign Affairs University
Biswas Baral, Editor, Kantipur Media Group, Nepal (Moderator)
13:00 to 13:30
Misinformation, Propaganda, and the State of Media Literacy Across the World
Siddharth Varadarajan, Founding Editor, The Wire, India
Tasneem Khalil, Editor-in-chief, Netra News, Sweden
Peace Chikodinaka Eze, Journalist and Head of News, C54 News Channel (Moderator)
15:00 to 15:30
Democracy Under Construction: How to Ensuring Progress and Inclusivity
Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin, Former Minister of Plantation and Commodities of Malaysia
Mahbubur Rahman, Professor, Department of Political Science and Sociology, North South University
Arjun Singh Kadian, Assistant Professor, Rishihood University, India (Moderator),
16:00 to 16:30
In Search of Stability: Navigating Geopolitical and Economic Tensions in Asia
Liping Xia, Professor, Department of Diplomatic Studies, China Foreign Affairs University
Mubashar Hasan, Post-doctoral Researcher, University of Oslo, Norway
Yoshikazu Kato, Research Fellow, Rakuten Securities Economic Research Institute. (Moderator)
17:00 to 17:30
Ease of Doing Business in a World Divided
Laura Larocchia, Marketing & Operations Manager, Disal Consulting, Italy
Morshedul Alam Chaklader, Managing Director, TAS Group, Bangladesh
Charlie Campbell, Senior Correspondent, TIME Magazine (Moderator)