The Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) is set to host its annual flagship event, the Annual BIDS Conference on Development (ABCD) 2025, beginning tomorrow (Sunday) in the capital.

The two-day conference, running from December 7 to December 8, 2025, at the Conference Hall (2nd Floor) of Parjatan Bhaban, Agargaon, will be held under the theme "Democracy and Development."

In an era where the connection between governance and economic progress is becoming increasingly vital, the conference aims to facilitate a rigorous and insightful dialogue on this pivotal relationship, with a specific focus on Bangladesh's context.

The comprehensive two-day program is designed to bridge the gap between academic research and policy formulation. Key features include:

Research Paper Presentations: Twenty cutting-edge research papers, meticulously selected for their relevance and contribution to Bangladesh's policy domain, will be presented across academic sessions.

The Planning Advisor, Dr. Wahiduddin Mahmud, will deliver a keynote speech, setting the stage with a strategic vision for development planning within the framework of democratic institutions.

The conference will feature a high-level panel discussion session with distinguished speakers from academia, government, and the development sectors. The Finance Advisor, Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, is confirmed to be present during this session. Professor Dr. A. K. Enamul Haque, Director General, Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) will chair the programme.

BIDS emphasized that the participation of thought leaders and experts will immensely enrich the discussions and contribute valuable insights to the discourse on the national development strategy.