Bangladesh has not excelled in water diplomacy: Speakers at International Water Conference

Bangladesh has failed to demonstrate proficiency in hydro diplomacy which is needed to get its fair share of water, said speakers at the International Water Conference.

In the two-day conference which began today (26 January) in Kuakata, Professor Imtiaz Ahmed, executive director of the Center for Alternatives, said, "To get our fair share of inter-river water with India, we need proper diplomacy. We have not been able to be skilled in this regard. Our training is centred on Western meditation concepts. However, we are not practising diplomatic techniques.

"India discusses water issues with Bangladesh on a bilateral basis, while Bangladesh seeks to address river-related challenges involving Nepal, Bhutan, and China. However, when India faces river issues with China, it advocates for multilateral discussions. Such duplicity will not resolve river-centric disputes," he added. 

He further noted that in West Bengal, there are 34 dams on the Teesta River, which also contributes to water scarcity there.

Imtiaz Ahmed suggested that Bangladesh must think innovatively to resolve these issues, focusing on solutions like dredging and other strategies.

"The world is transforming into a multidimensional space due to globalisation, which has diminished the relevance of colonialism. Globalisation has impacted all sectors, including production, pushing the world towards a complex multidimensional framework. A stable maritime future is essential in this journey," he said.

The conference began with remarks from Farah Kabir, country director of ActionAid. She noted that this year's theme is "Water Geopolitics and Maritime Futures." 

Experts from Nepal, Australia, Singapore, China, and India, along with Bangladesh, will present their views at the event.

On the first day of the conference, discussions will focus on topics such as the "Future of the Teesta and Border Rivers," "Climate Change and Local Innovation," "Climate Futures," and "Water Financing and the Role of Water Diplomacy."

The second day will emphasise women's empowerment through equitable water distribution. 

Tomorrow's (27 January) agenda includes topics like "Evaluating Power Dynamics and Climate Change through a Feminist Lens in Water Management," "Mainstreaming Water Education," and "Geopolitics of Cooperation and Protecting Marine and Water Resources."

Recommendations and proposals from the conference will later be presented to national and international policymakers.

Since 2016, ActionAid Bangladesh has been organising the International Water Conference to broaden perspectives on water resources and management, foster innovative thinking, encourage dialogue, promote coalitions for collaborative efforts, and support transboundary initiatives regarding water issues.