Reminding everyone of their responsibility towards nature, Chairman and CEO of Surfin Meta Digital Technology (SMDT) Pte Ltd Dr Yanan Wu on Monday said economic and technological progress must go hand in hand with responsibility towards nature.

“We owe something to nature. We owe something to creation,” Dr Wu said, noting that after benefiting from nature for so many years, we have a responsibility to give something back.

He expressed particular appreciation for conservation efforts aimed at protecting endangered wildlife and preserving biodiversity for future generations.

The conservation of the Sundarbans and its rich natural heritage took centre stage at the soft launch of the second edition of Cosmos Group and WildTeam founder and UNB Editor-in-Chief Enayetullah Khan’s ‘The Bangladesh Sundarban’ at the Cosmos Centre Auditorium in the capital.

Prof Dr Md Anwarul Islam, CEO and General Secretary of WildTeam, and Enam Ul Haque, renowned ornithologist, wildlife photographer, WildTeam Chairman and Bangladesh Bird Club founder addressed the book-launching event before prominent global investment and fintech executive Dr Wu spoke as the chief guest.

The event brought together conservationists, wildlife experts and photographers with the CEO of Singapore-headquartered financial technology solutions provider Surfin Meta.

Published by WildTeam and supported by Surfin, the second edition of the book features two new chapters, adding to its documentation of the Sundarban’s wildlife, biodiversity, natural history and the lives and livelihoods of communities closely connected with the mangrove forest.

Dr Wu began his career as a research scientist at the IBM T. J. Watson Research Center as well as the Los Alamos National Lab, where he published several academic papers in first-rate physics journals.

“Human beings may not always be able to live in harmony with one another, but we should at least learn to live in harmony with nature,” he said.

Dr Wu said climate change and natural disasters should remind people that development cannot come at the expense of the environment.

He highlighted efforts demonstrating how technology, financial inclusion and conservation could reinforce one another.

“I hope we can bring a powerful message to this nation - that technology can help people live better lives together, no matter their background, their gender or where they come from,” Dr Wu said.

“Eventually, we hope to contribute back to nature, because we owe so much to the nature that has supported us for so many years,” he added.

Dr Wu called for collective action, saying seemingly small individual contributions could become powerful when people work together.

“One candle is easy to blow out, but when all the candles shine together, they can illuminate the whole world,” he said.

Dr Wu expressed hope that the efforts made by WildTeam would ultimately stand as a lasting example of cooperation among people, technology and nature, while carrying a message of inclusion and shared responsibility to the wider world.

Surfin Founder and CEO Dr Wu stressed the need to harness technology to expand financial inclusion and build a more equitable society, saying people from all backgrounds deserve an opportunity to live better lives.

“It is a meaningful contribution to humanity, especially because we can preserve our heritage and create a testimony to the world that human beings and nature can live together in harmony,” he said.

Dr Wu said Surfin’s mission over the past several years has been to use technology to break down barriers to financial services for underserved communities in emerging markets.

“We should be humble enough to use technology to bring everyone together and make inclusiveness a reality,” he said.

He said Surfin has expanded its operations across multiple emerging markets, using artificial intelligence, data and digital financial technologies to serve young consumers and people who traditionally have had limited access to formal financial services.

Recent public information from the company says Surfin has more than 100 million registered users and operates across 12 markets, while its technology is focused on financial inclusion and AI-powered financial services.

Dr Wu said his commitment to financial inclusion was shaped by experiences during his travels in emerging markets, particularly Indonesia, where he witnessed a striking contrast between affluence and poverty.

Recalling a night in Jakarta, he said he stood on a bridge near an affluent shopping district and saw a very different reality across the river.

“On one side, there were bright and fancy shops. On the other side, there were people living in the slums,” he said. “I saw such a contrast between the two worlds. That was the seed of the vision behind Surfin.”

The experience prompted him to ask whether technology could be used to bridge the gap between the two communities.

“I hope we can become a bridge between the two worlds. We can use technology to bring down the barriers and reach the underserved,” he said.

A former physicist and investment professional, Dr Wu said his earlier work in science and finance ultimately shaped his approach to using technology and data to expand access to financial services.

He also spoke about his long-standing interest in education and social development, saying education and financial access are two fundamental pillars for improving people's lives.

“Education is the first foundation for human rights,” he said. “Without education and knowledge, a person cannot meaningfully and fully participate in society.”

But, he added, education alone cannot guarantee economic opportunity if families and young people lack access to financial services.

“The second foundation is financial access,” Dr Wu said. “Without financial access, a young family may struggle to provide a better life for their children.”

He cited Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus as one of his personal inspirations in the field of financial inclusion, saying technological advances now provide new possibilities for expanding the principles of financial access pioneered through microfinance.

Dr Wu said artificial intelligence could take financial inclusion to another level by giving ordinary people access to personalised financial guidance.

The programme began with a short video showcasing the activities of WildTeam.

Dr Wu described the conservation of the Sundarbans as a meaningful contribution to Bangladesh and humanity.

He said the Sundarbans could offer the world a powerful example of how humans, tigers and nature can live together in harmony.

Recalling his visit to Dhaka in 2019, Dr Wu said he was struck by the resilience and warmth of ordinary people despite their hardships.

He stressed that technology should be used to bring people together and expressed hope that conservation initiatives such as the Sundarban project could convey a broader message about humanity’s responsibility towards nature.

Dr Wu also expressed hope that Surfin Meta and Cosmos Group could work together on financial technology and financial inclusion initiatives in Bangladesh.

"Hopefully, we can start a financial technology project with Cosmos Group that can bring a powerful message to this nation that technology can help more people enjoy better lives together," he said.

Enayetullah Khan highlighted WildTeam’s journey and its longstanding Sundarbans conservation efforts.

He described the forest as one of Bangladesh’s richest conservation resources and said it covers around 10,000 square kilometres, with roughly 60 percent located in Bangladesh and the remainder in India.

Khan expressed his happiness over the publication of the second edition, which includes two new chapters, including one on the ‘Doors of the Forest’ and another on conservation activities.

He also highlighted the Conservation Biology Centre established by WildTeam and the first forest museum in the area, inviting visitors to experience the forest and learn about its biodiversity and conservation efforts.

Khan thanked Dr Wu for supporting the publication of the book and said such initiatives could contribute to greater awareness and conservation of the Sundarbans.

Prof Dr Md Anwarul Islam said WildTeam, founded by Khan in 2003, has been working to protect the Sundarbans and its tiger population by involving local communities.

"We have only 125 tigers in the country, and this is the last round for our tigers," he said, stressing the urgency of protecting the remaining tiger population.

He said WildTeam has engaged local communities, including former hunters and forest protectors, in conservation activities, while children are also being involved.

"Today, if you come there, you will see that more than 650 people are volunteers. They are conserving tigers and the forest," he said.

Enam Ul Haque described it as a privilege to be part of the event and congratulated the organisers on the publication of the new edition.

In his concluding remarks, Khan said the prospective partnership between Cosmos and Surfin Meta could extend beyond financial technology to education and other areas of social development.

He said the philosophies of the two organisations converge around the idea of creating a positive social impact. "With Surfin's philosophy of great business and Cosmos's philosophy of business, I think there is a convergence."

He also stressed the importance of unity and collective action in working for the national interest, saying differences of opinion should not prevent people from working together for a happier and healthier society.

Another short video highlighting WildTeam’s activities regarding its Conservation Biology Centre was screened at the event.

First published in 2011 by WildTeam, ‘The Bangladesh Sundarban’ offers a detailed account of the world's largest mangrove forest, covering its diverse flora and fauna, natural history, and the lives, beliefs, social customs and livelihoods of people dependent on the forest.

The book also highlights the Sundarban’s role as a natural barrier against cyclones and tidal surges and features photographs documenting its landscape, people and wildlife.