Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday shared an idea for greater electricity connectivity in the region, calling for the creation of a South Asian grid to share hydroelectricity generated by Nepal and Bhutan.
"Bangladesh can easily bring hydroelectricity from Nepal as it is only 40 miles from Bangladesh. Nepalese hydroelectricity will also be cheap," Prof Yunus said, adding that Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Bhutan should consider creating a South Asian grid.
During a meeting with the Social Business Group on the sidelines of the climate conference in Baku, he said that much of the hydroelectric potential in the Himalayan nations remains untapped due to the lack of electricity grids connecting Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Bhutan.
Nepalese officials have said the country has the potential to generate 40,000 megawatts of hydroelectricity, which could help reduce the reliance on fossil fuels in larger countries such as India and Bangladesh.
Prof Yunus, who is attending the COP29 climate conference in Azerbaijan’s capital, emphasized that Bangladesh has prioritized water management to prevent floods and maximize water use to drive the country’s economic growth.
"Water is our main environmental issue. We must manage it in a way that supports nature," Prof Yunus said.
At the social business meeting, he also highlighted the Interim Government’s focus on youth development and education reform.
He announced that the government plans to hold a youth festival in January, coinciding with the Bangladesh Cricket Board's annual T20 BPL cricket tournament.
Fifa President Gianni Infantino and IOC President Thomas Bach are expected to attend. Additionally, a women’s football tournament is in the works.
"We are aiming to hold the festival in all parts of the country," Yunus said.
He also discussed the interim government’s reform initiatives, including the July-August mass uprising that ended the 15-year-long dictatorship of Sheikh Hasina.
Furthermore, he spoke on key issues at COP29 and Bangladesh’s ongoing negotiations regarding carbon credits.
