‘Kollolini’ river dialogue to bring policymakers, diplomats together in Dhaka

"Kollolini: A River Dialogue 2026" will be held tomorrow (24 September) at Aloki Convention Centre in Dhaka, bringing together policymakers, diplomats, development partners, researchers and river advocates under the theme "Knowing Our Rivers, Deciding Together".

The dialogue is being convened by the Team Europe Initiative on Climate and Energy in Bangladesh and organised by the European Union, Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ) and the Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh, with coordination by Red Orange Limited and Deltares, on the occasion of World Rivers Day, according to the press release.

Two ministers, two state ministers, several ambassadors, leaders from international financial institutions, civil society organisations and government bodies are expected to speak at the dialogue.

The event will bring together policymakers, government officials, diplomats, development partners, researchers, environmental experts, civil society organisations, academics, students and river advocates to address environmental and governance challenges facing Bangladesh's rivers.

Throughout the day, the dialogue will cover four key areas: governance and legal protection; implementation, investment and accountability; participation of communities and youth; and continued dialogue, learning and progress monitoring.

The opening session, titled "Understanding Where We Stand, Exploring Where We Go", will bring together AFD Bangladesh Country Director Cynthia Mela; French Ambassador Jean-Marc Séré-Charlet; Dutch Ambassador Joris van Bommel; and Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh Head of Development Cooperation Dr Michal Krejza.

After screening the trailer for "BURIGANGA: Forgotten River Mother", water resources and climate expert Malik Fida A Khan, senior adviser at Red Orange, will set the context for the dialogue.

A high-level panel, moderated by Red Orange Limited Founder and Managing Director Arnob Chakrabarty, will include Asian Development Bank Country Director Qingfeng Zhang, Drik Picture Library Director Tapash Paul and Mahbuba Rahman, representing Riverine People.

Water Resources Minister Md Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee, MP, is expected to join the opening session as the chief guest.

A dedicated session titled "From Investment to Impact: Long-Term Collaboration for a Better River?" will explore how government institutions, development partners and the private sector can work together to mobilise resources and ensure that river investments generate lasting environmental and public benefits.

The discussion will include representatives from Infrastructure Development Company Limited (Idcol), the Bangladesh Planning Commission, Asian Development Bank (ADB), GIZ, IUCN, BGMEA and other institutions.

Dhaka WASA Managing Director Dr Md Moniruzzaman will chair the session.

Another discussion, titled "From Plans to Practice: Closing the Implementation and Maintenance Gap in River Governance", will focus on the challenges of translating policies and plans into sustained action.

Representatives from the Netherlands and Switzerland, École Pratique des Hautes Études, the Bangladesh Water Development Board, and civil society will examine institutional coordination, maintenance, and accountability.

State Minister for Water Resources Forhad Hossain Azad, MP, is expected to chair the session.

The dialogue will also revisit the issue of river rights through a dedicated session titled "Rivers as Living Entities: From Legal Recognition to River Rights".

The discussion will feature representatives from the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association, BUET, Rechte der Nature and AFD Bangladesh.

Md Moniruzzaman Talukder, secretary (joint secretary) of the National River Conservation Commission, will chair the session.

A video message from Yuvelis Morales Blanco, judge at the International Rights of Nature Tribunal and a recipient of the 2026 Goldman Environmental Prize, is also expected.

During the closing session, the dialogue will combine policy discussions with creative and interactive activities designed to broaden public engagement with river issues.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, MP, is expected to attend the closing session as the chief guest. In contrast, State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shaikh Faridul Islam will attend as the guest of honour.

European Union Ambassador and Head of Delegation Michael Miller, Swiss Ambassador Reto Renggli and German Embassy Deputy Head of Mission Daniel Blum are expected to attend as special guests.

The programme will also feature a photo exhibition by award-winning photographer Abir Abdullah, an art exhibition by Drik Gallery and Shuno Art Space, poster presentations, organisational stalls and a thematic live drama by Friendship NGO.

The organisers said the objective is not only to discuss the challenges facing Bangladesh's rivers, but also to build a pathway for shared responsibility, coordinated implementation and sustained action beyond the conference.