North South University’s (NSU) Center for Social Impact and Sustainability (CSIS) successfully hosted a timely and insightful talk titled “Geopolitics, Climate Change, and Social Impact” on December 18, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon at the Syndicate Hall, North South University.
The session examined the intricate relationships between regional geopolitics, environmental sustainability, and the business sector’s role in driving social impact, with a particular focus on Bangladesh and South Asia. Against the backdrop of escalating geopolitical tensions—such as the India–Pakistan rivalry, China’s Belt and Road Initiative, and India’s Indo-Pacific strategy—the discussion highlighted how regional rivalries and strategic competition have intensified climate vulnerability, resource scarcity, and development challenges in the region.
The keynote address was delivered by Professor Rimi Zakaria, PhD, Professor of Management at the College of Business and Economics, University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, who discussed how multinational corporations and local enterprises in Bangladesh are increasingly integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks to strengthen supply chain resilience, meet global sustainability expectations, and generate meaningful social and environmental impact.
Professor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury, PhD, Vice-Chancellor of North South University, also addressed the audience, offering reflections on both local and global challenges related to sustainability, social business, geopolitics, and climate change. His address highlighted the crucial role of universities, policymakers, and cross-sector collaboration in promoting sustainable and inclusive development amid growing global uncertainty.
The session was chaired by Professor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury, PhD, and moderated by Professor Sharif Nurul Ahkam, DBA, Director of CSIS, North South University, who guided the discussion and facilitated audience engagement. The conversation highlighted notable sustainability initiatives, including the EBL Climate Change Action Awards, the Sustainability Summit 2025, and ESG capacity-building programs supported by Bangladesh Bank, as well as corporate leadership examples such as Unilever’s climate action and plastic reduction initiatives.
While recognizing these encouraging developments, the discussion also underscored persistent challenges, including the absence of a comprehensive national framework for social enterprises, fragmented institutional support, regulatory gaps, weak enforcement mechanisms, and governance constraints. Drawing on examples from other emerging economies, the speakers outlined evidence-based strategies to address funding limitations, policy inconsistencies, and climate-related risks.
The event was attended by a diverse audience comprising NSU students, faculty members, and university officials, reflecting the institution’s strong engagement with sustainability, responsible business, and global governance. The session concluded with an interactive question-and-answer segment, further enriching the dialogue and reinforcing CSIS’s commitment to fostering informed discussions on pressing social and environmental challenges in Bangladesh and beyond.
