The Centre for Governance Studies will inaugurate the fourth edition of its international conference, the Bay of Bengal Conversation 2025, today at Dhaka鈥檚 Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel.
Organisers told a press conference on Friday that the three-day conference鈥攆ocused on regional diplomacy and strategic dialogue鈥攚ill bring together 200 speakers, 300 delegates and more than 1,000 participants from 85 countries.
The theme for its fourth edition is 鈥楻ivals, ruptures, realignments鈥�. Organisation president Zillur Rahman said that Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed will deliver the inaugural address.
Former heads of state, ministers, diplomats, military experts, academics, researchers, journalists, business leaders, human rights defenders, technology specialists and representatives from international development organisations are also scheduled to speak.
鈥楾his year鈥檚 conference will centre on global rivalries, regional realities, shifts in alliances and partnerships, information warfare, artificial intelligence, climate change, economic pressures and migration鈥攊ssues that define the world we live in today,鈥� he said.
Noting that the world was undergoing a period of profound transition, Zillur said that the Bay of Bengal Conversation believed in the power of informed discourse.
He also acknowledged the media鈥檚 role as integral to the ecosystem.
鈥極ur focus is global, and discussions will not specifically cover Bangladesh鈥檚 elections. It is time for Bangladesh to take its place as an active player, rather than remain a spectator,鈥� he added.
CGS executive director Parvez Karim Abbasi highlighted the strategic importance of the Bay of Bengal region, describing it as one of the world鈥檚 most dynamic zones of population growth and economic activity.
鈥楾he Bay of Bengal Conversation creates a rare opportunity to bring together the region鈥檚 diverse experiences and policy approaches under one platform,鈥� he said.
Saying that it was the largest Track II conference in Asia, he remarked, 鈥榙espite political challenges and Bangladesh being a small country, we are hosting this conference for the fourth consecutive time. We have a very stimulating and engaging set of discussions ahead.鈥�
CGS board member Subir Das, chief of staff Depanjali Roy and other members of the CGS team were present at the press conference.