Seminar on “Rethinking Water Futures

Seminar on “Rethinking Water Futures: Youth Leadership, Justice, and Cooperation”

Date: 08 October 2026
Venue: BIISS Auditorium, Dhaka
Organised by: Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS)

The Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) organised a seminar titled “Rethinking Water Futures: Youth Leadership, Justice, and Cooperation” on 08 October 2026 at the BIISS Auditorium, Dhaka.

Md. Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee MP, Minister, Ministry of Water Resources, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, attended the seminar as the Chief Guest. Humaiun Kobir, State Minister-1, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, delivered the keynote speech as the Guest of Honour. The seminar was chaired by Major General A S M Ridwanur Rahman, awc, afwc, psc, G, Director General of BIISS, who also delivered the welcome address.

In his welcome address, Major General A S M Ridwanur Rahman highlighted the importance of effective water management and transboundary water cooperation for Bangladesh. He emphasised meaningful youth participation in water diplomacy, equitable water governance, and the sustainable management of water resources for future generations.

In his keynote speech, Humaiun Kobir underscored the importance of water diplomacy on multilateral platforms and highlighted opportunities for Bangladesh to strengthen international partnerships, promote technology transfer, and enhance scientific cooperation. He also emphasised effective international engagement and cooperation with like-minded countries to advance Bangladesh’s interests in transboundary water management.

The working session featured three panellists: Malik Fida Khan, Executive Director, Centre for Science, Technology, Policy, and Diplomacy; Shaikh Muhammad Mehedi Ahsan, Principal Adaptive Planning Specialist, Deltares, Netherlands, and Vice President (01), Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP); and Zerin Ahmed, former Technical Coordinator, Y&W Engagement, Transboundary Rivers of South Asia, Oxfam International.

The discussions explored various dimensions of transboundary water management, including water justice, inclusive governance, scientific and data cooperation, multilateral water diplomacy, and public-private partnerships. The panellists highlighted that water management extends beyond resource allocation, encompassing interconnected concerns relating to the environment, economy, food security, livelihoods, peace, and regional cooperation. They also stressed the importance of creating meaningful opportunities for young people to contribute to decision-making and policymaking processes concerning transboundary water governance.

In his remarks, Chief Guest Md. Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee MP emphasised equitable and sustainable approaches to water resource management and transboundary water cooperation. He underscored the importance of inclusive stakeholder participation and ensuring that the interests of future generations remain central to water governance and policymaking.

The seminar brought together senior officials from various ministries and government agencies, diplomats, researchers, academics, water and environmental experts, university faculty members and students, youth representatives, private-sector representatives, civil society members, NGO representatives, think-tank representatives, and media professionals. The exchange of views and experiences during the open discussion session enriched the deliberations and highlighted the importance of collaborative approaches to sustainable water governance.

The seminar underscored the need for stronger regional and international cooperation, inclusive water governance, and meaningful youth leadership to address emerging water challenges and promote a more equitable and sustainable water future.