Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) and the United Nations Office for
Project Services (UNOPS) jointly organized a seminar titled “Young Leaders, Sustainable
Futures: Advancing the SDGs Together” on Tuesday, 09 June 2026, at the BIISS Auditorium in
Dhaka.

The seminar brought together policymakers, development practitioners, academics, youth leaders, civil
society representatives, and development partners to discuss how young people can play a
transformative role in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs) in Bangladesh.

Two presentations were delivered during the seminar. In their presentations, Md Rafid Abrar Miah,
Research Fellow, BIISS, and Professor Dr Kazi Maruful Islam, Department of Development
Studies and Director of the Centre on Budget and Policy at the University of Dhaka, highlighted the
role of youth-led innovation and policy engagement in achieving the SDGs at the local level. They
also discussed the challenges and opportunities of youth engagement in sustainable development.
Major General A S M Ridwanur Rahman, Director General of BIISS, delivered the welcome
address and emphasized the importance of empowering young people as key stakeholders in
Bangladesh’s sustainable development journey. He highlighted the need to create enabling
environments where youth can contribute meaningfully to policy discourse, innovation, and
community development.

The event was attended by H.E. Indra Mani Pandey, Secretary General of BIMSTEC, as the
Guest of Honour, and Professor Dr SM Abdul-Awal, Principal Coordinator (SDG Affairs) at the
Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), as the Special Guest. Mr. Sudhir Muralidharan, Country
Manager of UNOPS Bangladesh and Bhutan, delivered the welcome remarks and reaffirmed
UNOPS’ commitment to supporting youth engagement, SDG localization, and multi-stakeholder
partnershipsfor sustainable development.

In his remarks, Mr. Muralidharan underscored that young people are not merely beneficiaries
of development but active partners and drivers of change. He highlighted the importance of
investing in youth leadership, innovation, entrepreneurship, and meaningful participation to
accelerate progresstowardsthe 2030 Agenda.

Addressing the gathering, H.E. Indra Mani Pandey highlighted the importance of regional
cooperation and youth engagement in addressing shared development challenges across the
BIMSTEC region. Professor Dr SM Abdul-Awal emphasized the Government of Bangladesh’s
continued commitment to SDG implementation and the importance of integrating youth
perspectives into national development planning.

Participants stressed that achieving the SDGs requires stronger collaboration among government
institutions, development partners, academia, civil society organizations, the private sector, and
youth-led organizations. The seminar concluded with a shared commitment to strengthening youth
participation in SDG localization efforts and promoting collaborative actions that empower young
people as leaders of sustainable development.