Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus embarked on a four-day official visit to Qatar on Monday(21 april) evening to attend the Earthna Summit 2025, with a strong focus on sustainability, energy cooperation, and women’s representation in state diplomacy.
Departing from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 7:00 PM via Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Prof Yunus is leading a high-level delegation to Doha at the invitation of Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani.
At the Earthna Summit, held under the theme “Building our Legacy: Sustainability, Innovation and Traditional Knowledge,” Prof Yunus will address global sustainability issues and advocate for climate resilience in hot and arid regions like Bangladesh and Qatar, drawing from both modern solutions and cultural traditions.
Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam confirmed that Prof Yunus is scheduled to meet both the Amir and Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani. Key topics include strengthening energy sector ties—particularly through LNG—and bolstering trade, renewable energy, and infrastructure investment.
An Investment Summit on April 23 will spotlight Bangladesh’s reform-driven economy and aims to attract Qatari investments in areas like smart manufacturing, ICT, and climate-friendly development.
Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said Bangladesh is seeking to expand the “long-term, mutually beneficial partnership” with Qatar beyond energy into sectors that can generate employment and sustainable growth.
In a groundbreaking move, four Bangladeshi female athletes—footballers Afida Khandakar and Shaheda Akhter Ripa, and cricketers Sumaiya Akhter and Sharmin Sultana—are accompanying the Chief Adviser, marking the first-time women athletes have traveled as part of an official state delegation.
Invited by the Qatar Foundation, the athletes plan to engage with local sports institutions, promote cross-cultural exchange, and propose friendly matches with Qatari teams.
“We’re honored to represent both our country and our teams,” said Ripa. “This is a huge step forward for women in Bangladesh’s sports and diplomacy.”
The Earthna Summit will convene experts, innovators, and leaders from around the globe to explore how traditional knowledge and cutting-edge innovation can shape a resilient and inclusive sustainable future.
Prof Yunus, champion of the "Three Zeros" vision—zero net carbon, zero wealth concentration, and zero unemployment—will bring Bangladesh’s perspectives to global dialogues on ecological justice and entrepreneurship.
The Earthna Village at Barahat Msheireb will host interactive events, workshops, and side discussions aimed at fostering collaboration and community-driven innovation.
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