Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Tuesday said the youth are the driving force of the nation, and their innovative ideas and perspectives are invaluable.

“We are committed to creating a smarter Bangladesh, and this roundtable is a major step towards achieving that vision,” he said while speaking as the chief guest of a programme titled "Smart Bangladesh Roundtable Discussion for Youth Perspective.'

Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a2i joined the discussion session. 

The development and deployment of cutting-edge technology, including blockchains and Neural Networks, underscores the government's commitment to create a culture of innovation within its operations, Momen said.

It also indicates an increasing willingness to grow in-house competencies in AI and adjacent technologies, he added.

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Former Principal Secretary and co-chair of Smart Bangladesh Network (SBN) Dr Abul Kalam Azad joined it as special guest.

He said this initiative marks a significant step toward a smarter Bangladesh. “The youth's active involvement is essential to our success, and the Smart Bangladesh Olympiad will serve as a catalyst for innovation."

This initiative recognized that the youth are not just participants but the most significant stakeholders in the Smart Bangladesh journey.

The MoFA, in collaboration with foreign missions in various countries, aspires to spread the youth's innovations beyond Bangladesh's borders and throughout the world.

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This global outreach will not only showcase Bangladesh's innovation but also create opportunities for cross-cultural collaboration and knowledge exchange, said the MoFA in a media release.

Another aim of the initiative is to connect the creative energy of the Bangladesh youth to the Global supply chain and design ecosystems, it said. 

Chief Innovation Officer and DG, Trade, Investment & ICT, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Syed Muntasir Mamun said the youth are the future leaders, and their ideas are the driving force for change.

“We are committed to building a culture of innovation within the Ministry and beyond,” he said.

The MoFA ICT wing presented its own Digital Public Infrastructure initiatives and globally deployed strengths.

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MoFA sought more direct youth participation in its developmental ambitions through its various initiatives such the “innovation lounge” and “iLab”.

Strategic Communications Advisor of a2i and Coordinator MoFA a2i iLab Ashfaq Zaman also spoke.

This roundtable aimed to engage the youth of Bangladesh in envisioning and creating a smarter, more innovative nation.

The discussion also focused on the introduction of the Smart Bangladesh Olympiad, marking a milestone in the nation's commitment to youth engagement and innovation.

The roundtable brought together young representatives from diverse educational backgrounds, including public, private, polytechnic, national universities, and madrasas.

It sought to bridge a historical gap by empowering the youth to participate actively in impactful policymaking dialogues, ensuring that their voices shape the future of the nation.