Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus on Thursday emphasised the need for Asia to enhance collaboration in four critical areas: finance, trade, food and agriculture, and technology. He highlighted that Bangladesh faces numerous challenges shared by other Asian nations.
"In this changing world, the destinies of Asian countries are intertwined. We must chart a clear roadmap for a shared future and shared prosperity," he stated during his speech at the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference in Hainan, China.
Addressing the conference, the Chief Adviser remarked that the Palestinian crisis transcends Arab or Muslim concerns and is fundamentally a humanitarian issue.
"This is the shared future we in Asia must create together," he added.
Dr Yunus stressed that the modern world faces multiple crises, with war and conflict undermining rights and disrupting economies. Despite global condemnation, he noted, genocide in Gaza continues unabated. Additionally, he pointed out that the war in Ukraine has significantly impacted global supply chains, while Myanmar's prolonged crisis threatens regional stability.
The session also featured speeches by Zhang Jun, Secretary General of the Boao Forum for Asia; Ban Ki-moon, former United Nations Secretary-General and Chairman of the Boao Forum for Asia; and Ding Xuexiang, Executive Vice Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, among others.
Dr Yunus highlighted that, for over seven years, Bangladesh has hosted more than 1.2 million forcibly displaced Rohingya, citizens of Myanmar. "We continue to bear significant social, economic, and environmental costs," he said, adding that UN Secretary-General António Guterres recently visited the refugee camps in solidarity.
While global efforts to address the crisis are shrinking, he urged Asian leaders to unite to ensure the Rohingya's safe and dignified repatriation to Myanmar.
In the context of today's "poly-crisis" world, Dr Yunus noted that war and conflict erode rights and disrupt economies. He called for global attention to the ongoing genocide in Gaza and reiterated that the Palestinian crisis is a humanitarian issue. "The ongoing tension in Ukraine continues to heavily impact global supply chains," he noted.
Dr Yunus also proposed that Asia create a sustainable financing mechanism. "We need reliable funds to address our challenges and meet growing demands," he said.
He observed that Asia remains one of the least integrated regions, which inhibits investment and trade. "We must strengthen trade cooperation immediately," he urged.
He emphasised the need for resource-efficient farming and the expansion of tech-based sustainable agricultural solutions, such as regenerative and climate-smart farming, to ensure food security. Dr Yunus advocated for reduced reliance on imports and the pursuit of self-sufficiency.
Dr Yunus also called for the establishment of a robust, inclusive, and innovative technology ecosystem in Asia. "We need to share knowledge, data, and invest in technology incubation and innovation," he said, suggesting that collaboration in digital solutions would drive progress.
He proposed that mobilising intellectual resources and engaging youth should be at the core of collective actions. "We must lay the foundation for a self-sustaining and self-reinforcing civilisation," Dr Yunus said.
He advocated for a counter-culture rooted in a zero-waste lifestyle, urging economies to limit consumption to essential needs. "Our economic focus should be on social business, which is increasingly seen as the future of business-where innovation, purpose, and responsibility intersect," he explained.
Dr Yunus proposed that forums like the Boao Forum enhance collaboration among youth and entrepreneurs to make Asia more prosperous for future generations. "Every young person should strive to become a 'three-zero' individual: zero net carbon emissions, zero wealth concentration, and zero unemployment through entrepreneurship in social business," he suggested.
The Chief Adviser also warned of volatility stemming from global financial instability, political uncertainties, and trade disruptions. He highlighted that rising interest rates and debt servicing costs are deepening Asia's debt crisis. "Despite commitments to the 2030 Agenda, progress remains slow," he remarked.
