The chief adviser advocates for a South Asian power grid to distribute Nepal's hydroelectricity

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday proposed the establishment of a South Asian power grid to harness and share the hydroelectricity generated by Nepal and Bhutan. Speaking at a Social Business Group meeting alongside the climate conference in Baku, he highlighted the untapped potential of the Himalayan region’s hydroelectric resources, which lack grid connectivity between Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Bhutan.

According to reports from Nepali officials, Nepal alone has the capacity to generate 40,000 megawatts of hydroelectricity, which could reduce fossil fuel dependency in larger nations like India and Bangladesh. "Bangladesh could easily access hydroelectricity from Nepal, which is only 40 miles away, offering a cost-effective solution," said Prof. Yunus, urging the creation of a South Asian grid for electricity sharing.

At COP29 in Azerbaijan, Prof. Yunus emphasized Bangladesh’s prioritization of water management to mitigate flooding and maximize water resources for economic growth. "Water is our main environmental concern, and we must manage it in harmony with nature," he noted. Addressing the social business meeting, he added that the interim government is also focusing on youth development and educational reform.

Prof. Yunus announced plans for a youth festival in January, coinciding with the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) cricket tournament. FIFA President Gianni Infantino and IOC President Thomas Bach are expected to attend, with additional plans underway for a women’s football tournament.

“We aim to hold the festival nationwide,” Yunus shared, discussing both the government’s reform agenda and the recent July-August uprising that ended Sheikh Hasina's 15-year rule.

He also touched on COP29’s primary topics and Bangladesh’s current negotiations around carbon credits.