AUW kicks off International Climate Conference in Ctg

The Asian University for Women (AUW) has launched its inaugural International Conference on Environment and Climate Action (ICECA), a significant initiative that has convened a global community of scientists, researchers, and environmental advocates.

The two-day conference, kicked off today (August 1) at Hotel Agrabad in Chattogram, is being held under the theme, "Ami: I for a Greener World."

The event has drawn over 200 participants from 15 countries, including Bangladesh, the United States, the United Kingdom, India, and Nepal. Researchers representing 50 universities, research institutes, NGOs, and industries from eight different nations are scheduled to present 99 papers, focusing on a wide range of environmental issues.

A key highlight of the conference is its strong emphasis on gender inclusivity. With a female-to-male participant ratio of 6.2:3.8, the event underscores the growing prominence and leadership of women in environmental sciences and advocacy.

The initiative is a collaborative effort led by AUW's Environmental Sciences program and the Green Bangle Movement, in partnership with the Environmental Sciences Club and the AUW Student Government. The Business Standard and The Climate Watch have been designated as media partners for the conference.

The opening ceremony was graced by Sonia Sultana, director of the Department of Environment (DoE), Chattogram Metropolitan, who attended as the chief guest. In her remarks, she emphasised the need for cross-sectoral cooperation to combat climate change and promote sustainable development.

Dr Mosae Selvakumar Paulraj, a member of the ICECA Organizing Committee, described the conference as "a platform for informed dialogue and sustained action," stressing the importance of building cross-border partnerships to tackle climate challenges and strengthen climate resilience.

ICECA 2025 features a rich agenda across five thematic areas: Roots & Revolutions, Wild & Well, Voices for Earth, Planet in Balance, and Green Futures. The topics explore environmental justice, biodiversity, traditional ecological knowledge, policy and innovation, sustainability, and green technologies.

On the first day, keynote addresses were held in two parallel sessions at Ichamati Hall and Karnaphuli Hall. In Ichamati Hall, Dr Gawsia W Chowdhury from Dhaka University presented a keynote titled "The Chronicles of Plastic from Boon to Bane," highlighting community-based research and sustainability outreach in Bangladesh.

Dr Sara Nowreen of BUET discussed "Impact of Anthropogenic Activities on Groundwater-Surface Water Interaction in Chattogram Hill Forests," followed by Dr Nandini Rajamani from IISR Tirupati, who spoke on "Small Mammal Adaptations to Climate Change: Lessons from South Asia."

Simultaneously, in Karnaphuli Hall, Dr Nadia White of the University of Montana delivered a keynote titled "The Fight for Factual Integrity," addressing the role of journalism in environmental advocacy.

She was followed by Dr Elizabeth Eklund of Purdue University, who spoke on "Climate Changes: Adaptation, Realities, and Imaginaries of Global Climate Shifts," and Dr Md Mostafa Kamal Sarkar of the University of Oxford, who presented on "Artificial Intelligence in Climate Adaptation: Women's Contributions in Research and Mitigation."

Later sessions featured Dr Abu Syed from the Centre for Research on Environment and People (CARE), who delivered a keynote in Ichamati Hall on "Advancing Flash Flood Risk Assessment: A GIS-Based Multi-Criteria Framework for Susceptibility Mapping in Vulnerable Hill Regions."

In Karnaphuli Hall, Dr Anamika Barua from IIT Guwahati presented an invited talk on "Centering Justice and Equity in Climate Action: Lessons from Adaptation in Assam and Global Mitigation Policies."

Other invited speakers included Dr Antony Stephen in Ichamati Hall, discussing "Conservation Linked Enterprises – Alternatives to Climate Change, Migration, and Livelihoods in Tamil Nadu," and Dr Shanta Dutta in Karnaphuli Hall, who spoke on "The Bio-Refinery Approach Toward Climate Change Mitigation." Dr Amrit Thapa also presented on "Flooding, Schooling, Community Infrastructure and Learning in Rural India."

A special alumni panel titled "Women in Environmental Science," moderated by Ms. Afrida Asad, and a session by Shamsuddin Illius, Chattogram Bureau chief of The Business Standard, on "Environment and Climate Journalism in Bangladesh," added further depth to the discussions.

The day also featured poster presentations, a cultural programme in Karnaphuli Hall, and concluded with an award-giving ceremony celebrating contributions to environmental research and action.

The second day of the conference will include a field trip to ecological sites, environmentally responsible industries, and grassroots organisations, giving participants a hands-on look at coastal conservation and sustainable practices in the region.