DHAKA, Nov 16, 2024 (BSS) - Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus addressed the inaugural session of the 3rd edition of 'Bay of Bengal Conversation' organised by the Centre for Governance Studies (CGS) at a city hotel this morning.

Following is the full text of his speech:

Friends, distinguished international and local participants, ladies and gentlemen:

It’s a true pleasure to be with you today, right here in a city which has experienced a unique political upheaval barely hundred days back. This was a student led revolution to bring down a fascist regime which ruled the country for last sixteen years. I welcome our international guests to a freshly emerged country, calling herself New Bangladesh to highlight the distance it wants to establish from the old Bangladesh. Hundred days back nearly thousand students, and their supporters were killed by the old regime, 20,000 were wounded. Through this international gathering let us pay respect to all those who sacrificed their lives, those who lost their limbs, eyes and many physical capacities, and those who are struggling with their lives.

To foreign guests: I urge you not to miss an historical opportunity to walk through Dhaka streets, and watch the walls along the streets painted with the colorful paintings expressing  the emotions and aspirations of young people, painted while there was a lull between the killing spree. Anybody watching them cannot but be amazed by the power of the expressions young people came up with, right at the killing fields.

I am privileged to open this year’s Bay of Bengal Convention. I am deeply grateful to the Centre for Governance Studies for hosting this gathering—particularly at this time, when ideas and dreams can take root and grow into real solutions. This convention is more than just a meeting of minds; it’s a testament to our shared resilience. Bangladesh, has always been a land of dreams, hard work, and an unbreakable will. It is more so now, as the aspirations of the revolution are fresh in minds.

 It’s the work of millions of voices, almost the voices of the entire nation, —voices that have demanded change, voices that continue to push us all to build a future based on human rights, freedom of speech, justice, and inclusion.

The theme of this year’s convention, “A Fractured World,” resonates deeply with me. We live in times marked by challenges and complexities. Whether it’s economic disparity, social injustice, or the threat of climate change, we face issues that are overwhelming. And yet, in Bangladesh, we know something about resilience, about facing adversity and creating opportunity from it. It’s a lesson I learned decades ago, working with villagers, seeing their courage, and being inspired by their strength. It is those experiences that taught me that every problem has a solution if we have the patience to peel it out, the courage to try, and the persistence to keep going.

We know what it’s like to be punished severely for no fault, to face forces far bigger than ourselves. But we also know that when we come together, when we work as one, we have the power to change the course of history. This convention is about exactly that—the power of unity, the strength of shared purpose.

Our region is on the frontlines of climate change. Every year, our coastal communities face rising waters and shifting weather patterns that impact lives, homes, and livelihoods. This crisis is not something that can be put off for another day; it’s something that requires our immediate and united action. At the same time, we are a region of immense potential. Ours is country of the youth. Out of 171 million people half the population is under the age of 27 years. This makes the country very powerful in creativity. Our youth have the power to lead the world in sustainable development, to create models of green growth protecting and promoting our environment. But this requires cooperation, courage, and an unshakable belief in our shared future.

As we debate and share our thoughts in this gathering over next few days, I encourage you to think how to build a new world, as our youth have set us on a path to create the New Bangladesh. Let’s challenge each other, listen to each other, and dare to imagine a new world with a new lifestyle consistent with environmentally safe planet. And build an economy where fruits of technology, economic growth are shared evenly by all people, not monopolized by privileged few.

I am always a compulsive optimist. I always believe in the power of idea, and power of imagination. If we can imagine together it becomes irresistible. Let’s do it.

Let us create a new civilization. This civilization has failed us. From environmental perspective alone it has turned out to be self-destructive civilization. From economic perspective it has led to extreme accumulation of wealth. We need to create a world of three zeros, zero net carbon emission, zero wealth concentration -- by introducing social business to solve people's problems, rather than maximizing profit, zero unemployment by turning young people into entrepreneurs, rather than jobseekers.

Nothing is impossible for human beings, if only we pursue it hard enough.

Thank you for organizing this important conference.

Wishing you a memorable in conversation in Dhaka.

With these words I have the privilege to declare the Bay of Bengal Conversation open.
Thank you.