The final round of the country’s first large-scale two-day event (19-20 April 2025), the 'Green Energy Olympiad 2025,' commenced on Saturday at the Bangladesh Military Museum in the city.
Organized jointly by the Bangladesh Working Group on Ecology and Development (BWGED) and the Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network (CLEAN), the event was designed not only as a competition but also as a national platform where young people can demonstrate their commitment to environmental protection through logic, analysis, and leadership.
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Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan inaugurated the event emphasising the involvement of youth in the policymaking.
She said that most of those voted to power in Bangladesh are led by administrative-centric decisions and are not directly representatives of civil society or the youth.
For building a sustainable and progressive Bangladesh, the input of youth, innovative thinking, and civil society guidance is crucial, she said.
Rizwana Hasan noted that those who support fossil fuels are not focused on reducing environmental crises but rather on sustaining them.
“The drastic reduction of foreign loans for the power sector from 3.2 billion dollars to 800 million dollars in just seven months sends a clear message that change is possible, provided there is political will."
Nur Ahmed, Additional Secretary, Power Division, highlighted the need to enhance capabilities at both personal and institutional levels.
He stressed the importance of prioritising resources effectively and maintaining continuity in operations, which he considers the key to success in any sector.
Hasan Mehedi, Chief Executive, CLEAN, said that the future of Bangladesh’s energy is not just about electricity generation; it is about justice, the environment, and intergenerational security.
“The time is now to shift away from foreign-dependent fossil fuels and move towards fair energy transitions based on local and sustainable sources."
The organisers said that the Green Energy Olympiad 2025 (GEO 2025) is a nationwide educational competition aimed at raising awareness and fostering leadership among students regarding the significance of the environment, climate change, and renewable energy.
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Nearly 4,900 students from 150 colleges and universities are participating in the competition, which is held in six stages.
Participants are evaluated on their knowledge, analysis, and presentation of arguments.