Bangladesh Model United Nations (BANMUN) 2025 begins on Friday with the aim of empowering young people to engage meaningfully in global policy discussions and contribute to a more sustainable future.
The three-day conference will run from 26 to 28 December at the American International University–Bangladesh (AIUB) campus in Dhaka.
The event is organised by the United Nations Youth and Students Association of Bangladesh (UNYSAB), with The Times of Bangladesh as its media partner.
More than 200 students from 75 educational institutions across the country are participating in this year’s conference, which is centred on the theme ‘Just Energy Transition (JET)’.
According to the organisers, the concept goes beyond the expansion of renewable energy and focuses on ensuring fairness, inclusion, and social protection during the transition away from fossil fuels such as coal and oil.
Key priorities of the Just Energy Transition include job creation in the clean energy sector, re-skilling and up-skilling of workers, strengthening social safety nets, and ensuring affordable access to green energy-particularly for vulnerable and marginalised communities.
Higher secondary-level students from various institutions will take part in debates and policy discussions over the first two days of the conference. On the final day, delegates will adopt resolutions based on their deliberations.
The organisers noted that fossil fuel–dependent economies are among the major contributors to the global climate crisis. With energy demand rising due to population growth and technological advancement, a rapid yet equitable transition to renewable energy has become essential to address climate change while safeguarding economic and social stability.
The opening ceremony will feature Asad Alam Siam, Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as the chief guest.
The session will be chaired by Dr Gazi Md Saifuzzaman, Director General of the Department of Youth Development under the Ministry of Youth and Sports. Md Mashud Razzaq, Publisher of The Times of Bangladesh, will attend as the guest of honour.
Special guests include Dr Taufique Joarder, Associate Professor at the National University of Singapore, and Dr Syed Muntasir Mamun, Director General of the International Trade, Investment and Technology Wing of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The welcome address will be delivered by Dr Sayed Md Shaikh Imtiaz, Professor of Women and Gender Studies at the University of Dhaka and Chairman of the UNYSAB Trustee Board.
At the closing ceremony, Ambassador Dr Md Nazrul Islam, Secretary (Bilateral) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will be the chief guest. Professor Dr Saiful Islam, Vice-Chancellor of AIUB, will attend as the guest of honour.
Special guests will include Shah Asif Rahman, Director General of the UN Wing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Sharmin Islam, Gender Team Leader of UNDP Bangladesh; and M Abul Kalam Azad, Special Affairs Editor of The Times of Bangladesh. The session will be chaired by Dr Syed Md Shaikh Imtiaz.
The organisers expect BANMUN 2025 to serve as a vital platform for policy-oriented dialogue, diplomatic practice, and youth leadership development, with participation from institutions at home and abroad.
