Panel Discussion on "Rio+20 Conference

The Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) organised a panel discussion titled “Rio+20 Conference: Outcome and Way Forward” on Wednesday, 01 August 2012, at the BIISS Auditorium.

Dr. Hasan Mahmud, MP, Honourable Minister, Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF), Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, attended the event as the Chief Guest. Major General Muhammad Imrul Quayes, ndc, psc, Director General of BIISS, delivered the welcome address and chaired the session.

The panel featured distinguished speakers including Dr. Atiur Rahman, Governor of Bangladesh Bank; Professor Ainun Nishat, Vice-Chancellor of BRAC University; Dr. Atiq Rahman, Executive Director of the Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies (BCAS); and Mr. Quamrul Islam Chowdhury, Chairman of the Forum of Environmental Journalists of Bangladesh and the Asia Pacific Forum of Environmental Journalists.

The discussion examined the outcomes of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) and explored their implications for Bangladesh’s sustainable development agenda. The panelists highlighted issues relating to green economy, climate change, environmental governance, sustainable resource management, poverty reduction, and the need for stronger national and international cooperation to implement the commitments made at the Rio+20 Conference.

The panel discussion was followed by a lively question-and-answer session, during which participants exchanged views on environmental sustainability, climate resilience, development financing, and policy implementation. The event was attended by diplomats, academicians, government officials, representatives of the media, business leaders, civil society organisations, environmental experts, and other professionals, who contributed valuable perspectives on advancing sustainable development in Bangladesh.