Bangladesh Future Forum 2026:
Visioning a Prosperous 2050
Bangladesh at a Crossroads: Reckoning with the Past, Reimagining the Future
January 10–11, 2026
North South University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
About the Forum
The Bangladesh Future Forum (BFF) is designed to serve as an intellectual platform that brings together scholars, policymakers, practitioners, and youth to chart a course for Bangladesh's future journey to 2050. The Forum has emerged at a defining moment in the nation's history, amid renewed democratic aspirations following the 2024 civic uprising and the historic 2026 national election scheduled for February 2026. Bangladesh stands at a crossroads: between the legacies of past governance and the possibilities of a more prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable future.
The BFF 2026 seeks to generate forward-looking, evidence-based ideas that will shape the country's developmental, democratic, and ecological trajectories. Through keynotes, paper presentations, plenaries, thematic sessions, roundtables, and policy labs based on scholarly work, BFF 2026 will examine how Bangladesh can transition toward a more accountable, innovative, and resilient state that can deliver the promises of Sonar Bangla, or the Golden Bengal - a thriving Bangladesh by 2050.
Theme
Visioning a Prosperous 2050
As Bangladesh enters a new era of political renewal and economic transformation, the nation stands at a historic crossroads: poised to redefine its future development trajectories for the coming decades. The Forum's central theme, "Crafting a Vision for a Prosperous 2050," invites participants to reimagine the country's political economy, governance, and global positioning through an integrated lens of democracy, governance, geopolitics, sustainability, and inclusion. It calls for confronting the structural challenges of inequality, institutional fragility, and environmental and climatic stress while seizing the opportunities presented by technology, innovation, demographic dividends, and youth dynamism.
By drawing lessons from past policy choices and regional experiences, the Forum aims to advance a collective vision grounded in justice, accountability, and planetary well-being. Participants will engage in candid dialogue to generate actionable ideas that can inform the next generation of reforms and shape Bangladesh's long-term future.
Major Thematic Tracks
BFF 2026 will feature parallel panels, plenary keynotes, roundtables, dialogues, and policy labs across 9 thematic areas:
Business and Economy
Banking and Finance, monetary policy, sustainable financial regulation, macroeconomic stability and recovery, foreign exchange reserves management, industrial competitiveness, industrial policy, FDI, green growth, inclusive growth, and innovation.
Culture, Faith, History, and Identity
Historical reckoning and political memory, faith and pluralism in public life, values and moral imagination for the nation, diversity and inclusion in national identity, modernism vs. tradition, cultural institutions and arts.
Democracy and Governance
Institutional reform, transparency, accountability, and participatory democracy, election.
Education and Work
Skills gap, reskilling, academia–industry collaboration, and AI-driven job transformation.
Environment and Climate
Mitigation and adaptation, climate finance, NDC 3.0, blue economy, water diplomacy, transboundary water governance and security, and sustainable urban futures.
Energy Security
Energy transition, subsidy reform, and sustainable energy governance, reform, and accountability in the energy sector.
Geopolitics and Foreign Policy
Bangladesh's strategic positioning in the Indo-Pacific, Indo-Pacific Strategy, Belt and Road Initiative, regional cooperation, Rohingya issue and security, geoeconomics, and global integration.
Healthcare and Well-being
Health systems, technology in healthcare, and equitable access.
Human Rights and Transitional Justice
Addressing state-based human rights violations, justice mechanisms for past harms and human rights violations, pathways for conflict resolution, peacebuilding, and healing, reforming the judiciary, police reform, oversight bodies, safeguarding civic rights, and the right to information.
Who Should Participate
The Forum invites:
Academics and researchers
in public policy, economics, governance, health, education, climate, energy, international relations, and other related fields.
Policymakers and bureaucrats
shaping national development and governance reforms.
Political actors and leaders
across parties committed to transparent, participatory, and accountable governance.
Civil society and development practitioners
working on social justice, sustainability, and inclusion.
Private sector innovators and entrepreneurs
driving the next generation of economic transformation.
Students, youth leaders, and diaspora scholars
envisioning Bangladesh 2050.
Call for Papers and Posters
Submission Guidelines
We invite submissions of ongoing research or new research that aligns with the BFF 2026 theme and its major tracks. While analyzing historical or current developments, submissions should look ahead to Bangladesh 2050, offering aspirations, policy pathways, and actionable recommendations for the future.
Extended Abstract: 450–500 words or a draft of the full paper with 3–5 keywords, author details, affiliation, and thematic track through the Forum website at www.BangladeshFutureForum.com
Submissions should clearly state:
- Research question & relevance to Bangladesh's future
- Conceptual/theoretical framework
- Data sources & methodology (if applicable)
- Initial or expected findings
- Policy implications/recommendations for Bangladesh's governance, development, or sustainability trajectory
Priority will be given to submissions with clear policy relevance and contributions that bridge the gap between research and real-world decision-making.
Review & Selection Process
Each submission will undergo review by subject experts. Decision notifications on the abstracts will be issued on a rolling basis within 7–10 days of submission or the final deadline.
Poster Submissions
Poster proposals aligned with the conference tracks are welcome. Final print-ready posters must be submitted by December 10, 2025.
Special Session / Panel Proposals
We welcome a select number of theme-specific panels or research sessions. To propose a panel, please email: session title, 200–300 word abstract, list of proposed presenters, and affiliations.
Deadlines
- Abstract Submission:
- November 1-21, 2025
- Full paper:
- December 18, 2025
- Final decision on publication:
- December 25, 2025
- Final revised paper for proceedings:
- January 1, 2026
Registration
Registration Fees
| Category | International | Local |
|---|---|---|
|
Paper Presenter
|
USD 50 | BDT 1,000 |
|
Poster Presentation
|
USD 30 | BDT 500 |
|
Participation Only
(both local & international)
|
FREE | FREE |
|
Students/Youth/Young Professionals
(with or without paper or poster)
|
FREE | FREE |
Awards & Recognition
Recognition
Outstanding papers and posters will receive recognition and will be featured in the Conference Proceedings and BFF 2026 Policy Brief.
Travel Support
Selected international presenters may receive full or partial travel support and/or registration discounts/waivers.
Speakers
To be added later (domestic & international profiles)
We are working to bring together an exceptional lineup of thought leaders, policymakers, and experts from Bangladesh and around the world.
Program
Schedule and sessions (to be added)
Contact Us
Steering Committee
AKM Wareesul Karim, PhD
Professor and Dean, School of Business & Economics
Member Secretary, BFF 2026 Steering Committee
Halimur Rashid Khan, PhD
Professor and Director, IQAC
Chief of the BFF 2026 Editorial Board
For General Queries
Mr Shamir Shehab
Faculty and Member, BFF 2026 Steering Committee
Contact Information
Website
BangladeshFutureForum.comVenue
North South University, Dhaka, Bangladesh