By Disaster Preparedness Mitigation and Management (DPMM), SET
Over 120 participants representing more than 80 organisations gathered at the Meghna Knowledge Forum II (MKF II), held from 23–25 July 2025 at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand. Co-convened by AIT, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and South Asian University, the forum was a vital platform for advancing dialogue and cooperation across the Barak-Meghna River basin, home to more than 50 million people.
With the theme “Building Community and Ecosystem Resilience to Climate Change”, MKF II brought together over 60 diverse speakers, including policymakers, academics, indigenous leaders, youth groups, and civil society actors. Discussions focused on safeguarding ecosystems and livelihoods in a basin under severe climate stress, especially in the context of rising floods, shifting hydrology, and socio-economic vulnerabilities.
In the Inaugural Session, Prof. Pai-Chi Li, AIT President and Dr. Dindo Campilan, IUCN Asia Regional Director warmly welcomed delegates to the Meghna Knowledge Forum II. “This forum aligns perfectly with AIT’s mission to foster inclusive, sustainable development and climate resilience across Asia’s most vulnerable regions”, Prof. Li said emphasizing AIT’s commitment to sustainable development, climate resilience, and equitable technological innovation. Similarly, Dr. Indrajit Pal, Associate Professor and Co-convener of the event highlighted the forum as a key platform for regional collaboration, knowledge exchange, and empowering youth to address climate challenges in transboundary river basins.
H.E. Faiyaz Murshid Kazi, Ambassador of Bangladesh to Thailand and member of AIT Board of Trustees highlighted the challenges brought upon by climate change, and stressed the importance of transboundary water resource management, water diplomacy, cross-border knowledge sharing and traditional knowledge in ecosystem management. He enthusiastically shared the various initiatives implemented by Bangladesh in water management and climate resilience and expressed support for future initiatives of the Meghna Knowledge Forum.
Similarly, H.E. Indra Mani Pandey, Secretary General of BIMSTEC joined online and highlighted the important role of regional collaboration, emphasizing key agreements signed on maritime connectivity, climate resilience, biodiversity and transboundary water management among member countries. He also expressed the need for knowledge-based and informed policymaking, highlighting the critical value that forums such as MKF provides.
The three-day event saw a deep-dive into past efforts, learnings and opportunities in addressing critical challenges faced by the river basin through five thematic plenary sessions, six parallel side events and an interactive exhibition. Thematic Plenaries brought together multi-sectoral stakeholders working across the basin, with discussions focussed on community livelihood resilience, ecosystem and biodiversity protection and youth and gender inclusion. Speakers emphasized designing and implementing EbA approaches, integrating traditional and indigenous knowledge, data-driven planning tools and public-private partnerships for sustainability.
Side events brought into discourse the role of private sector engagement, trade and tourism in achieving resilience, transboundary water governance, global water and sustainable development frameworks and community-led adaptation. A notable highlight of the discussions was the brainstorming of a “Barak-Meghna Research Network”, a multi-disciplinary, multi-sectoral and transboundary initiative to enhance collaborative research and youth empowerment.
Throughout the event, traditional and indigenous ecological knowledge and Nature-based Solutions (NbS) was a pivotal theme of discussion. Speakers stressed the need to empower women and youth by building capacity and providing platforms such as the MKF. Indigenous participants shared how their cultural traditions are deeply rooted in nature, with women playing leadership roles in natural resource management and eco-tourism. Various community-based organizations from the Meghna Basin brought the exhibition to life, showcasing vibrant stories, lived experiences and exciting initiatives.
Youth engagement was another major highlight of the Forum, showcasing the Youth for Meghna (Y4M) network’s vital role and initiatives in freshwater biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and inclusive water governance. Interactive role-play and dialogue encouraged intergenerational collaboration to co-create sustainable river futures. Y4M’s interactive wetland exhibition highlighted field insights from Tanguar Haor and Rupaibali Lake, giving voice to emerging issues as well as sustainable solutions. “Young people must be at the centre of adaptation,” said Y4M members in unison, echoing the forum’s collaborative spirit.
As MKF II concluded, a strong consensus emerged: rivers are lifelines for resilience, and lasting solutions must blend science, policy, and local wisdom. The participants reaffirmed their commitment to co-developing climate solutions with basin stakeholders, and the forum closed with a renewed call for regional and transboundary collaboration, partnerships, and inclusive governance to secure a resilient future for the Meghna Basin.
