Dhaka: The two-day Annual BIDS Conference on Development (ABCD) 2025, organized by the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS), is set to commence tomorrow at Parjatan Bhaban, Agargaon in the capital. The conference, recognized as a flagship academic event, aims to provide a platform for research dissemination by national and international scholars while engaging communities on current development issues and debates.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the theme for this year's conference is "Democracy and Development," and it will feature the presentation of 20 research papers across six academic sessions. These sessions will cover crucial areas such as industrial development, labor markets, health systems, food systems, social protection, climate change, and energy transition. The conference will begin with an inaugural session featuring Dr. Wahiduddin Mahmud, Adviser, Ministry of Planning, as the chief guest. He will deliver a keynote address titled "Democracy and Development." Professor Dr. A. K. Enamul Haque, Director General of BIDS, will give the opening remarks.
The event will conclude with a high-level panel discussion on the theme "Democracy and Development," with Salehuddin Ahmed, Adviser, Ministry of Finance of Bangladesh, attending as the chief guest. The session will be moderated by Professor Dr. A. K. Enamul Haque and will include distinguished panelists such as Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur, Governor of Bangladesh Bank, Sultan Hafeez Rahman, Professorial Fellow at BRAC University, KAS Murshid, Former Director General of BIDS, and Monzur Hossain, Member (Secretary) of the General Economics Division, Bangladesh Planning Commission.
The conference's academic sessions will address topics like flood adaptation, climate-resilient agriculture, industrial transformation, healthcare efficiency, youth employment, women's economic participation, and social safety nets. Researchers from BIDS, IFPRI, University of Dhaka, BRAC University, icddr,b, University of Leeds, and the University of Bath will present their studies. A dedicated session led by IFPRI will focus on food systems, environmental health, and social protection.