ActionAid's two-day Renewable Energy Fest kicks off

Bangladesh's first-ever Renewable Energy Fest, to begin at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology on 22 April 2025. The two-day event will run from 23 to 24 April. To mark the occasion, a rally and flash mob were held in Dhaka on Tuesday as part of the global 'Fund Our Future' campaign. The event called for an end to fossil fuel financing
and urged greater investment in renewable energy, reads a press release.

The festival is a joint initiative of ActionAid Bangladesh, Buet, and the Just Energy Transition Network Bangladesh (JETnet-BD). The day's activities began with a vibrant flash mob performed by 20 members of the Surjodoy Youth Group. Following this, a spirited rally commenced from Doel Chattar and ended at the National Press Club. Then, a press conference was held at the Abdus Salam Hall of the National Press Club. Farah Kabir, country director of ActionAid Bangladesh, presided over the event. Abul Kalam Azad, manager of the Just Energy Transition team, delivered the keynote address. Other notable speakers included Mostafa A1 Mahmud, president of the Bangladesh Sustainable and Renewable Energy Association; Mukaddim Sarwar of Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL); and representatives from City Bank.

"Our youth are determined to create a fair and sustainable energy future," said Farah Kabir. Azad added, "Our goal is to lay the groundwork for a just energy transition through dialogue, innovation fairs, and inclusive participation." Key attractions will include an Innovation and Technology Fair and a Youth Hub at Buet's ECE Building. The festival will conclude with awards recognising local innovations in the renewable energy sector.

Media partners include Channel i, The Business Standard, and Daily Samakal.