20/05/2026
Today, a dialogue titled “From Santa Marta to Bangladesh: Dialogue on Assessing Pathways to Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels” convened youth, civil society, researchers, experts and policymakers to discuss Bangladesh’s Just Energy Transition, renewable energy expansion and pathways away from fossil fuel dependency.
Set against the Santa Marta Conference, the discussion highlighted that a just transition goes beyond energy shift, encompassing climate justice, social protection, gender equality and the rights of farmers and marginalised communities, with a strong emphasis on a people-centred and inclusive energy future.
The session was moderated by Abul Kalam Azad, Manager – Just Energy Transition at ActionAid Bangladesh and Member Secretary of Just Energy Transition Network Bangladesh (JETnet-BD), focusing the dialogue on policy coherence, energy equity and youth engagement.
Key speakers emphasised youth skills development and green entrepreneurship, stronger inclusion of farmers in energy and climate policymaking, expansion of renewable energy and energy efficiency, improved multilateral financing for the Global South and reliable renewable energy technologies, while also raising concerns about import dependency, subsidy-driven systems and global energy market volatility.
In her closing remarks, Farah Kabir, Country Director of ActionAid Bangladesh, stressed that the climate and energy crises are deeply interconnected and require urgent, coordinated action, including the removal of structural barriers, ensuring stronger accountability and gender-responsive energy planning.
The dialogue reaffirmed the need for an inclusive, rights-based just energy transition placing youth, farmers, and vulnerable communities at the centre. The event was jointly organised by ActionAid Bangladesh, Waterkeepers Bangladesh, Just Energy Transition Network Bangladesh (JETnet-BD), Climate Frontier, KaathPencil, Brighters, YOUCAN, OAB Foundation, Mission Green Bangladesh, Breaking The Silence, C3ER, and Bangladesh Krishok Federation.
