NSU hosts discussion on geopolitics, climate change and social impact

North South University's Center for Social Impact and Sustainability (CSIS) organised a talk titled "Geopolitics, climate change and social impact" on 18 December 2025 at the university's Syndicate Hall.

The session examined the interlinkages between regional geopolitics, environmental sustainability and the role of the business sector in driving social impact, with a focus on Bangladesh and South Asia. Speakers discussed how regional dynamics such as India–Pakistan relations, China's Belt and Road Initiative and India's Indo-Pacific strategy have contributed to climate vulnerability, resource stress and development challenges in the region.

The keynote address was delivered by Professor Rimi Zakaria, professor of management at the College of Business and Economics, University of Wisconsin–Whitewater. She discussed how multinational and local enterprises in Bangladesh are increasingly adopting environmental, social and governance (ESG) frameworks to strengthen supply chains, meet global sustainability standards and generate social and environmental impact.

Vice-Chancellor of North South University Professor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury also addressed the session, highlighting the role of universities, policymakers and cross-sector collaboration in promoting sustainable and inclusive development amid growing global uncertainty.

The session was chaired by Professor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury and moderated by Professor Sharif Nurul Ahkam, director of CSIS, who facilitated the discussion and audience engagement. Speakers referred to sustainability initiatives such as the EBL Climate Change Action Awards, Sustainability Summit 2025, ESG capacity-building programmes supported by Bangladesh Bank, and corporate initiatives including Unilever's climate action and plastic reduction efforts.

While acknowledging progress, the discussion also highlighted challenges including the lack of a comprehensive national framework for social enterprises, fragmented institutional support, regulatory gaps and governance constraints. Drawing on international examples, the speakers outlined possible approaches to addressing funding limitations, policy inconsistencies and climate-related risks.

Students, faculty members and university officials attended the event, which concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session.