German ambassador inaugurates ‘Ambassador Talk’ series at IUB
Achim Tröster, Ambassador of Germany to Bangladesh, delivered the keynote speech at the inaugural session of the Ambassador Talk series, held at Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB), on Thursday.
Jointly organised by IUB's Department of Global Studies and Governance (GSG) and the Centre for Bay of Bengal Studies (CBoBS), the event was titled Beyond Borders: What Bangladesh Can Learn from Germany's Regional Vision.
In his address, Ambassador Tröster underscored Germany's commitment to a rules-based global order that balances values with strategic interests. He identified key areas of future cooperation between Germany and Bangladesh, including trade, industrial diversification, green technology, and the fight against climate change—particularly the preservation of biodiversity in the Sundarbans.
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The ambassador also reaffirmed Germany's strong development partnership with Bangladesh, highlighting over €1.2 billion in ongoing bilateral projects funded and implemented by German Cooperation.
Welcoming the ambassador, Prof Daniel W Lund, Pro Vice-Chancellor of IUB, praised the event as a platform for academic diplomacy and cross-cultural dialogue. The session began with opening remarks by Dr Marufa Akter, Head of the GSG Department, who reflected on her academic experience in Germany and the importance of international engagement in higher education.
Ambassador (Retd.) Tariq A Karim, Advisor to CBoBS, drew on his diplomatic career to discuss the relevance of regionalism for Bangladesh. He recalled how his exposure to regional cooperation in Germany had shaped his perspective, stating, "European cooperation is not only about ceding sovereignty but also about pooling sovereignty to achieve shared goals." He called on Bangladesh to play a more proactive role in shaping a South Asian regional identity.
A dynamic discussion followed, covering topics such as sustainable industrialisation, trade relations, Bangladesh's LDC graduation, and the role of youth in promoting regional peace. A lively Q&A session explored Germany's balance between industrial growth, environmental responsibility, and labour rights.
The event concluded with a cultural performance by the IUB Music Club, reinforcing the theme of unity in diversity. The inaugural Ambassador Talk marked the beginning of a new forum for dialogue and cooperation between Bangladesh and the international diplomatic community.
