Bangladesh Earth Summit 2025

The Bangladesh Earth Summit 2025 (BES 2025) was a landmark youth climate initiative held on April 26, 2025, in Barishal. Led by the Young Climate Action Network (YOUCAN), the summit was organized in collaboration with Brighters, Bangladesh Youth Society (BYS), Eco-Network Global, OAB Foundation, Climate Frontier, Renew Earth, YEDO, EarthDay.org, and the Commonwealth Asia Youth Alliance.

This coalition of youth-led organizations united a diverse group of young leaders, activists, researchers, and community representatives from across Bangladesh to mobilize action toward climate resilience, justice, and sustainable development.

Event Overview and Program Flow

Registration & Networking

The summit day began with an enthusiastic registration and networking session. Participants arrived early to collect badges and connect with fellow changemakers. The vibrant atmosphere set a hopeful and collaborative tone for the day.

Welcoming Remarks

The event officially commenced with heartfelt remarks from Saidur Rahman Siam, Founder and Director of Brighters. His address underscored the vital role of youth leadership in climate action and inspired participants toward a day of collective learning, engagement, and empowerment.

Panel Discussions and Sessions

1. Empowering Local Youth Voices: Leadership, Policy Advocacy, and Climate Action

Moderator: Fariha Sultana Aumi (Chair, Brighters)
Panelists:

Yudhishtir Chandra Biswas, Founder and Executive Director, Young Climate Action Network (YOUCAN), and Contact Point of BES 2025
Md. Jubaiar Islam, Lead, Youth and Climate Justice, Barishal Mohila Kallayan Sangstha
Faez Belal, Executive Director, Bangladesh Youth Society (BYS)
Jubayer Islam, Operation Lead, Climate Frontier

This session highlighted the essential leadership roles of local youth in shaping climate policies and ensuring inclusive advocacy, emphasizing youth as the cornerstone of resilient, climate-safe communities.

2. Open Discussion and Fun Q&A

Moderators: Nabila Tabassum and Sharafat Karim (Brighters)
Participants engaged in an energizing open discussion sharing bold ideas for climate action and youth-led policy advocacy. A lively Q&A session followed, with special prizes awarded by Roufa Khanum, Assistant Director of the Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Research (C3ER), BRAC University, celebrating active youth participation.

3. Navigating Climate Change and Advocacy: Building Youth Power for Policy Impact

Moderator: Prottoy Bin Shafe, Founder and Executive Director, Renew Earth
Speakers:

Faez Belal, Executive Director, Bangladesh Youth Society (BYS)
Roufa Khanum, Assistant Director, C3ER, BRAC University
Asif Chowdhury, Climate Change Expert, Centre for Participatory Research and Development (CPRD)
Habibur Rahman, Senior Reporter, Ekattor TV

This expert session provided practical insights into strengthening youth leadership, climate advocacy strategies, and influencing policy processes effectively.

4. Youth and Child Leadership for Climate Action: Combating Pollution and Protecting Biodiversity

Panelists:

Asaduzzaman Tohin, Founder, OAB Foundation
Jaber Bin Faisal, Local Committee Secretary, Bangladesh Medical Students’ Society (BMSS)
Sayem Siddiqui, Child Advocate, Bangladesh Children and Adolescent Network
Khairul Islam Munna, Youth Advocate, Barguna
Prottoy Bin Shafe, Founder and Director, Renew Earth
Sohanur Amin, Director, Brighters

This dynamic panel underscored the power of local youth and children in addressing pollution and safeguarding Bangladesh’s precious biodiversity, stressing grassroots leadership as key to environmental protection.

5. Renewing Climate Policies and Advancing Renewable Energy for a Safer Planet

Moderator: Fariha Sultana Aumi, Chair, Brighters
Panelists:

Saidur Rahman Siam, Founder and Director, Brighters
Roufa Khanum, Assistant Director, C3ER, BRAC University
Yudhishtir Chandra Biswas, Founder, Youth for Biodiversity
Asif Chowdhury, Climate Change Expert, CPRD
Habibur Rahman, Senior Reporter, Ekattor TV

The final panel discussed urgent policy renewal and expansion of renewable energy in Bangladesh. Panelists emphasized the critical role of youth in shaping and implementing these sustainable solutions.

Youth Climate Declaration 2025

A historic highlight of BES 2025 was the formal announcement of the Youth Climate Declaration 2025, led by Yudhishtir Chandra Biswas, founder of YOUCAN and contact point for BES 2025. The declaration outlines ten key commitments, including:

Active participation in environmental protection and reforestation
Expanding environmental education in schools and communities
Encouraging sustainable agricultural practices
Reducing single-use plastic pollution
Promoting renewable energy and green technologies
Advocating for youth inclusion in policymaking
Preserving biodiversity and combating pollution
Enhancing disaster resilience and adaptation at local levels
Fostering international collaboration among youth climate networks
Leading innovation and research for sustainable development

This declaration reflects a unified youth vision to drive climate justice and sustainability across Bangladesh.

Leadership Team

The summit’s success was made possible by a passionate and skilled youth leadership team:

Yudhishtir Chandra Biswas – Contact Point (YOUCAN)
Risat Ara Meem – Design, Branding & Documentation Lead
Robiul Awal – Partnership & Strategic Collaboration Lead
Jubayer Islam – Finance Lead
Asaduzzaman Tohin – Participants Coordination Lead
Ettekaf Dinar Apple – Communication & Media Lead
Rakibul Islam Prottoy – Logistics & Operations Lead
Md Prottoy Bin Shafe – Guest Management Lead

Their dedication ensured seamless coordination, impactful programming, and strong participant engagement.

Organizers

The Bangladesh Earth Summit 2025 was organized by a coalition of committed youth-led organizations:

Young Climate Action Network (YOUCAN) – Lead Organizer
Brighters,Bangladesh Youth Society (BYS),Eco-Network Global,OAB Foundation,Climate Frontier,Renew Earth,YEDO,EarthDay.org,Commonwealth Asia Youth Alliance

Impact and the Road Ahead

Bangladesh Earth Summit 2025 successfully galvanized youth leadership, strengthened cross-sector networks, and amplified young voices in national and local climate dialogues. The event reasserted the role of youth as critical architects of Bangladesh’s sustainable future.

YOUCAN and its partners remain committed to scaling youth engagement through continued capacity building, policy advocacy, and inclusive climate action, ensuring a just and resilient Bangladesh.

Stay Connected

For more information and updates on Bangladesh Earth Summit 2025, visit:
🔗 Bangladesh Earth Summit Project Facebook Page