Center for NRB Hosts ‘Branding Bangladesh’ Conference on Sidelines of UN General Assembly

An international discussion titled “Civil Society Engagement for Branding Bangladesh” was held on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York. Speakers at the event emphasized the need to involve the private sector, civil society and the younger generation alongside government initiatives to promote a positive image of Bangladesh on the global stage.

The conference was organized by the research organization Center for NRB on Sunday afternoon, September 27, local time, at the DoubleTree Hilton Hotel in LaGuardia, New York. Economists, diplomats from different countries, expatriate Bangladeshis and international business leaders attended the event, including economist and former Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H. Mansur.

In his keynote remarks, Ahsan H. Mansur said it is crucial to engage expatriate Bangladeshis, particularly young people, in the country’s economic activities. He said young people have the skills and capacity to bring meaningful changes to the country.

As a guest speaker, Hena Chowdhury, Deputy Mayor of Worthing Council in London, called on the government to engage more expatriate Bangladeshis living in London and other parts of the world in national development initiatives.

In his presidential remarks, M. S. Sequil Chowdhury, Chairman of the Center for NRB, said the eyes of people around the world remain focused on New York during the annual UN General Assembly. He said initiatives undertaken during this period can attract greater global attention.

“Center for NRB, as a private, nonprofit research organization, has been working for years to promote Bangladesh on this global platform,” he said.

Sequil Chowdhury further said that promoting a country globally cannot be achieved through government initiatives alone. The private sector and individual initiatives must also come forward.

He said the Center for NRB is working to engage foreign stakeholders and expatriate Bangladeshis not only at the United Nations but also through similar events held in different countries each year.

Highlighting the role of the younger generation, Sequil Chowdhury said the government has consistently been urged to involve young people more extensively in the branding process.

“The younger generation has access to modern technology and enormous energy. The government should strengthen its communication with young people both at home and abroad,” he said.

He also noted that expatriate Bangladeshis are increasingly participating in politics and various areas of state affairs. He said their continued advocacy has helped create opportunities for members of the diaspora to become involved at the policymaking level.

Established expatriate Bangladeshis from different professional fields who attended the conference expressed their commitment to contributing from their respective positions to enhance Bangladesh’s image internationally.

They said expatriate Bangladeshis are not only contributing to the country’s economy through remittances but are also making their mark in their respective professions and helping take Bangladesh to new heights on the international stage. They emphasized that an active civil society and collective efforts are essential to conveying a positive message of a self-reliant Bangladesh to the global community.

Among others, speakers at the event included Yoshi Ikota, Global Chairman of NAR North America; environmentalist Ina Islam; economist Dr. Shawkat Ali; newspaper editor Dr. Wazed Khan; prominent businessman Paul Khan; Imam Sheikh Junaid; Advocate Nasir Chowdhury; Dr. Junnon Chowdhury; Munar Arman Chowdhury; singer Shuvo Deb; Shahida Shikdar Hai of the League of America; Rowshan Haque; realtor Nadir Khan; community leader Abdur Rahim; Optimist Chairman Shamim Ahmed; Syeda Fawzia Munni; JMC Executive Member Zulkar Haider; Syed Atik; Abdus Sahid; and Masud Masum, an official of the New York City Board of Elections.

Diplomats from various countries, international business leaders, economists, environmentalists, academics, journalists and prominent members of the expatriate Bangladeshi civil society attended the discussion.