State Minister for Finance Waseqa Ayesha Khan on Tuesday emphasised inclusive and sustainable development and suggested that development should not come at the expense of human security.

She said the government of Bangladesh is well aware of the human security dimension of development endeavours, and the Padma Bridge is the best example of it.

The State Minister was speaking as the chief guest at a book launch on “Development-Human Security Nexus: A Study on Padma Bridge Resettlement Areas” at the BIISS auditorium.

Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) organised the event.

Director General of BIISS, Maj Gen Md Abu Bakar Siddique Khan, delivered the welcome address.

Dr Razia Sultana, Senior Research Fellow, BIISS, introduced the book to the audience.

Md Rafid Abrar Miah, Research Officer, BIISS, presented the major findings of the book.

Professor Dr. Delwar Hossain, Department of International Relations, University of Dhaka and Member, Bangladesh Public Service Commission, and Shaikh Muhammad Mehedi Ahsan, Country Representative, IUCN, Bangladesh and General Secretary, Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP), were present as the
discussants.

The session was chaired by Ambassador AFM Gousal Azam Sarker, Chairman, BIISS.

Director General of the BIISS, Maj Gen Abu Bakar Siddique Khan, said the Padma Bridge is a project of immense importance. Not only does it have far-reaching economic impacts, but it also represents a shift in Bangladesh’s development diplomacy and showcases the country’s growing confidence and its potential to act as a lucrative hub for foreign direct investment.

Ambassador AFM Gousal Azam Sarker, Chairman, BIISS, wrapped up the seminar. He concluded the seminar by saying that neither the imperatives of megaprojects nor the sustenance of the lives and livelihoods of the affected communities can be overlooked.

To navigate such a paradoxical situation, he suggested finding a rational and equitable solution, referring to the case of the Padma Bridge.

Senior officials from different ministries, members of the diplomatic community, former ambassadors, senior civil and military officials, media, academia, researchers, faculties, and students from various universities, the business community, and representatives from international organisations participated in the book launch ceremony.