DHAKA, Dec 6, 2025 (BSS) - The two-day Annual BIDS Conference on Development (ABCD) 2025, the flagship academic event, organized by the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS), begins tomorrow at Parjatan Bhaban, Agargaon in the capital.

The theme of this year's conference is "Democracy and Development".

The aim of the conference is to provide a platform for the dissemination of research conducted by national and international scholars and engage wider communities on contemporary development issues and debates.

The two-day conference will feature the presentation of 20 research papers across six academic sessions, covering critical areas including industrial development, labor markets, health systems, food systems, social protection, climate change, and energy transition.

The inaugural session will be graced by Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud, Adviser, Ministry of Planning, as the chief guest who will deliver the keynote address titled "Democracy and Development." 

The opening remarks will be delivered by Professor Dr A. K. Enamul Haque, Director General of BIDS.

The conference will conclude with a high-level panel discussion on "Democracy and Development," with Salehuddin Ahmed, Adviser, Ministry of Finance of Bangladesh, attending as the chief guest of the panel discussion session.

The session will be moderated by Professor Dr A. K. Enamul Haque.

The Distinguished Panelists include: Dr Ahsan H. Mansur, Governor, Bangladesh Bank; Sultan Hafeez Rahman, Professorial Fellow, BRAC University; KAS Murshid, Former Director General, BIDS; Monzur Hossain, Member (Secretary), General Economics Division, Bangladesh Planning Commission.

The conference will feature academic sessions on Industry, Labor Market, Energy, Climate Change, Climate Resilience, Agriculture, and the Health Care Sectors. In addition, a dedicated academic session, led by IFPRI, will focus on Food Systems, Environmental Health, and Social Protection.

Academic sessions will include presentations by researchers from BIDS, IFPRI, University of Dhaka, BRAC University, icddr,b, University of Leeds, and the University of Bath. 

Topics will span flood adaptation, climate-resilient agriculture, industrial transformation, healthcare efficiency, youth employment, women's economic participation and social safety nets. 

BSS/PR/GM/OGR/1806 hrs