Bay of Bengal dialogue to open Oct 3
The Centre for Governance Studies (CGS) has announced that the fifth edition of the Bay of Bengal Conversation (BoBC) will take place in Dhaka from 3 to 5 October 2026, bringing together policymakers, business leaders, diplomats, academics and development experts to discuss emerging global and regional challenges.
According to a statement issued by the organisation on Saturday, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is expected to inaugurate the conference and deliver the opening address at the event, which will be held at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel.
This year’s theme, “Fragments • Frontiers
• Futures: Navigating Power, Technology and Trust in a World Rewritten”, reflects the conference’s focus on the shifting global economic, technological and geopolitical landscape.
Organisers said the three-day event will examine a range of issues shaping the international economy and policy environment, including geopolitical competition, technological transformation, trade realignment, climate-related challenges and evolving governance frameworks.
More than 200 speakers from over 100 countries are expected to participate, making the conference one of the largest international dialogue platforms hosted in Bangladesh.
The event is expected to provide opportunities for discussions on regional cooperation, investment, connectivity and sustainable development.
The programme will include plenary sessions, leadership forums, strategic dialogues, fireside discussions, special interviews and a Young Leaders Forum.
Key discussions will centre on geopolitics and regional security, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, trade and connectivity, climate resilience, human security, governance and the growing strategic significance of the Bay of Bengal region within the wider Indo-Pacific.
The conference agenda has been structured around five thematic pillars: geopolitics and strategic competition, technology and information power, trade and economic connectivity, climate resilience and human security, and governance and institutional trust.
Several flagship sessions are also planned, including the Prime Minister’s Address, the Bay of Bengal Lecture, Leadership Forums and the annual discussion titled “Why the Bay Matters to the World.”
Since its launch, the Bay of Bengal Conversation has developed into a prominent platform for dialogue among policymakers, researchers, business leaders and civil society representatives on regional and global issues.
Organisers said the event aims to strengthen understanding of the economic, strategic and technological forces shaping the future of the Bay of Bengal region, which is increasingly viewed as a critical hub connecting South Asia, Southeast Asia and the broader Indo-Pacific.
