On Saturday, the Environment Innovation Summit and Award 2024 was held in Dhaka with participation from over 400 environmental activists from more than 70 organizations. The day-long event featured various environmentally-friendly innovations and panel discussions led by renowned researchers and environmental scientists from the country. Actress Kazi Nowsaba Ahmed and a group of students participated in a fashion show, wearing clothes made from discarded garments in the summit. The event concluded with awards presented to ten individuals and organizations for their contributions to environmental and climate-resilient innovations.
The summit was organized by the youth environmental organization Mission Green Bangladesh and JCI Dhaka Metro and took place at the TSC Auditorium of Dhaka University on Saturday, December 28, 2024.
At the opening ceremony, Naoka Martinez Backstrom, the first secretary (environment and climate) at the Swedish Embassy in Dhaka, was present as a guest. In her speech, she said, “I am very pleased to be here with you all at this important summit and award ceremony. The steps the Swedish government is taking on environment, climate change, and sustainable development are crucial not only for our country but also for our partners worldwide.”
The awards ceremony at the end of the event recognized the following nine individuals and organizations: Green Content Creator of the Year Award went to content creators Umme Kulsum Poppy and Abu Saeed Al Sagar for their work on beneficial trees, Sherif Jamil, secretary of the environmental leadership organization ‘Amra-Dhora,’ Sohanur Rahman from Youth Net for Climate Leadership, Mahmud Rakib, special correspondent at Akhon TV for his contributions in journalism, Environment and Social Development Organization (ESDO) for research, Assunnah Foundation for Climate Impact Projects, Fenni District Volunteer Family for Local Climate Resilience, ACI Agro Business for Green Enterprise, Shailbrikh for Environmental Innovation, and Biopharma Limited for eco-friendly manufacturing.
Throughout the day, several important sessions and panel discussions took place, including topics such as “Youth Panel: Empowering the Green Generation for a Sustainable Future,” “Just Energy Panel: Innovative Solutions for a Fair Energy Transition in Bangladesh,” “Environment and Sustainability Panel: The Role of CSR in Environmental Innovation,” and “Expert Panel: Turning Environmental Innovative Ideas into Action.”
In the afternoon’s expert panel, the keynote speaker, Professor Dr. Niyaz Ahmed Khan, Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University, stated, “We must fix our environment ourselves, and we must use our innovation to do so. Research is ongoing at Dhaka University to address environmental issues, and I am pushing for more research in this area.”
The closing ceremony featured Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, who remarked, “The environment is intertwined with our lives. It is not a cheap matter. The environmental challenges of tomorrow will be tackled by the youth. All development activities must be carried out while maintaining a balance with the environment. I have ensured the participation of youth in everything in my ministry, and I believe the youth will play a major role in building a greener Bangladesh.”
Other notable attendees included Dr. Ali Afzal, Managing Director of the Agribusiness Group, JCI Bangladesh President Imran Kader, Communications Head of UNDP Bangladesh Mohammad Abdul Kayum, and Program Coordinator of the U.S. Department of Justice Dr. Nasir Uddin. The event was hosted by Shariful Islam.
During the event, the book “Dhaka: A City of Problems and Hopes” was unveiled. Edited by Abul Bashar Miraj, the Project Director of Mission Green Bangladesh, the book discusses the environmental challenges faced by Dhaka city and potential solutions. Topics include the city’s biodiversity, urbanization pressures, air pollution, water scarcity, and various urban environmental issues, along with potential solutions for development and increasing environmental awareness.
Regarding such environmental initiatives, Ahsan Roni, Executive Director of Mission Green Bangladesh, said, “At this summit, we are discussing new technologies, innovative solutions, and environmentally-friendly initiatives that can play a vital role in protecting our environment. The ideas and solutions conceived on this platform today will contribute significantly to improving our country’s environmental situation. Environmental preservation is not just the responsibility of a government or organization; it is the duty of all of us. Mission Green Bangladesh is working to create a new generation of environmentally-conscious citizens who will ensure a beautiful and green planet for the future.”
The event was supported by Catch Bangladesh and Sunfi Furniture, and partnered with the Center for Atmospheric Studies (CAPS), Action for Better Climate, and Swapno 71 Publication as strategic partners. Co-organizers included Dhaka University Research Society, Help the Future, BDEnvironment.com, and the Youth Platform for Sustainable Development, with knowledge partners including The Earth and Bangladesh Youth Society.