Earthna summit: Yunus flies to Qatar tomorrow

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus will be visiting Qatar on Monday to attend the Earthna Summit 2025 in Doha at the invitation of Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

He is also likely to hold a bilateral meeting with Sheikh Tamim on the sidelines of the summit, according to a foreign ministry official.

Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain, Energy Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan and Industries Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan may also accompany him during the visit.

Prof Yunus will present a keynote in the second edition of the summit that will bring together over 1,000 participants from more than 100 countries, including ministers, business leaders, academics, and youth leaders.

The summit will focus on "Building Our Legacy: Sustainability, Innovation, and Traditional Knowledge," on April 22-23 at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Bin Jelmood Museum and Barahat Msheireb.

It will bring together global policymakers, thought leaders, academics, and businesses to tackle environmental challenges while showcasing Qatar's commitment to sustainability in hot and arid environments, integrating cultural heritage and ecosystems into modern solutions.

The summit will also feature Earthna Village, along with multiple sessions and interactive workshops.

A key highlight of the summit will be the announcement of the inaugural Earthna Prize winners.

With more than 75 speakers and 20 sessions, the summit will tackle key areas such as sustainable urbanism, traditional knowledge, biodiversity, and education.

Bangladesh will focus on key issues such as environment, sustainable development, energy cooperation, investment, manpower export, and immigration during the visit.

Qatar is an important destination for Bangladeshi workers and a source for energy for Bangladesh.

"Cooperation in these sectors could be the highlights of the chief adviser's meeting with the Qatar emir," a foreign ministry official said.

Besides, Prof Yunus will also highlight his theory of net zero carbon emission, renewable energy and sustainable development, he added.

Conflicts in the Middle East, Rohingya crisis and other global issues may also come up during the discussion, the official said.