প্রস্তাবিত জ্বালানি পরিকল্পনা মুজিব জলবায়ু সমৃদ্ধি পরিকল্পনার সঙ্গে সাংঘর্ষিক

১৯ মে ২০২৩ । বাংলাদেশ 
---------------------------------- 
নীতি গবেষণাপত্র (বাংলা । ইংরেজি) 


বাংলাদেশের অর্থনীতির জন্য ক্ষতিকর, পরিবেশের জন্য ধ্বংসাত্মক, মুজিব জলবায়ু সমৃদ্ধি পরিকল্পনার সঙ্গে সাংঘর্ষিক ও মাননীয় প্রধানমন্ত্রীর প্রতিশ্রুতিবিরোধী ‘সমন্বিত জ্বালানি ও বিদ্যুৎ মহাপরিকল্পনা’ (Integrated Energy and Power Master Plan - IEPMP) বাতিলের দাবি জানিয়েছে উপকূলীয় পরিবেশ ও জীবনযাত্রা কর্মজোট (ক্লিন), বাংলাদেশের প্রতিবেশ ও উন্নয়ন বিষয়ক কর্মজোট (বিডাব্লিউজিইডি)। ক্লিন ও বিডাব্লিউজিইডি’র যৌথ উদ্যোগে প্রকাশিত এক নীতি গবেষণাপত্রে এ দাবি জানানো হয়। 

নীতি গবেষণাপত্রে জানানো হয় , জাপানের আন্তর্জাতিক উন্নয়ন সংস্থা (জাইকা) ও ইনস্টিটিউট অব এনার্জি ইকোনোমিক্স জাপান (আইইইজে) এ পরিকল্পনা প্রণয়ন-প্রক্রিয়ায় বিদ্যুৎ ও জ্বালানি ব্যবহারকারীদের অংশগ্রহণের কোনো সুযোগ রাখেনি। কিছু নাগরিক প্রতিনিধিদের সঙ্গে দুটি পরামর্শ সভা আয়োজন করা হলেও মূল প্রতিবেদনে নাগরিক মতামতের কোনো প্রতিফলন দেখা যায়নি। এ পরিকল্পনা প্রণয়নের সময় সংসদ সদস্য, এমনকি পরিকল্পনা মন্ত্রণালয়, বিদ্যুৎ, জ্বালানি ও খনিজ সম্পদ মন্ত্রণালয় এবং পরিবেশ, বন ও জলবায়ু পরিবর্তন মন্ত্রণালয় সংক্রান্ত সংসদীয় স্থায়ী কমিটির সঙ্গে কোনো প্রকার আলোচনা করা হয়নি। 

নীতি গবেষণপত্রে আরো জানানো হয়, বাংলাদেশ সরকারের মুজিব জলবায়ু সমৃদ্ধি পরিকল্পনায় ২০৩০ সালে ৩০ শতাংশ, ২০৪১ সালে ৪০ শতাংশ ও ২০৫০ সাল নাগাদ শতভাগ নবায়নযোগ্য জ্বালানি বাস্তবায়নের প্রতিশ্রুতি দেয়া হয়েছে। বিগত জাতিসংঘ জলবায়ু সম্মেলনে মাননীয় প্রধানমন্ত্রীও ২০৪১ সাল নাগাদ ৪০ শতাংশ নবায়নযোগ্য জ্বালানি বাস্তবায়নের ঘোষণা দিয়েছেন। অথচ, আইইপিএমপিতে ২০৫০ সাল নাগাদ ৩০.৭ শতাংশ জীবাশ্ম জ্বালানি (বিশেষত কয়লা ও এলএনজি), ৩২.৮ শতাংশ তথাকথিত ‘উন্নততর প্রযুক্তি’ (বিশেষত তরল হাইড্রোজেন, অ্যামোনিয়া ও কার্বন সংরক্ষণ প্রযুক্তি) এবং মাত্র ১৭.১ শতাংশ নবায়নযোগ্য জ্বালানি প্রবর্তনের প্রস্তাব করা হয়েছে যা মুজিব জলবায়ু সমৃদ্ধি পরকল্পনার সঙ্গে সাংঘর্ষিক। 

এলএনজি আমদানিতে বছরে প্রায় ৪০ হাজার কোটি টাকার বৈদেশিক মুদ্রা ব্যয় হচ্ছে। কয়লা আমদানিতেও বছরে প্রায় ২৫ হাজার কোটি টাকার বৈদেশিক মুদ্রা খরচ হয়ে যাচ্ছে। এছাড়া ২০২২-২৩ অর্থবছরে জীবাশ্ম জ্বালানিভিত্তিক বিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্রের ক্যাপাসিটি বাবদ ব্যয় হবে প্রায় ২৩ হাজার কোটি টাকা। গবেষণাপত্রে বলা হয় যে, জাপানের প্রস্তাবিত এই পরিকল্পনা গ্রহণ করলে বাংলাদেশ ক্রমশ ক্যাপাসিটি চার্জ এবং বৈদেশিক জ্বালানি ও প্রযুক্তির উপর নির্ভরশীল হয়ে পড়বে। অপরদিকে, নবায়নযোগ্য জ্বালানিভিত্তিক পরিকল্পনা গ্রহণ করলে বাংলাদেশের জ্বালানি নিরাপত্তা নিশ্চিত করার পাশাপাশি কষ্টার্জিত বৈদেশিক মুদ্রা সাশ্রয় করা যাবে। 

গবেষণায় আরো বলা হয় , জীবাশ্ম জ্বালানিভিত্তিক বিদ্যুতের উৎপাদন খরচ প্রতি বছর গড়ে ১২ শতাংশ হারে বৃদ্ধি পাচ্ছে। অন্যদিকে, নবায়নযোগ্য জ্বালানির উৎপাদন খরচ কমে যাচ্ছে গড়ে ১০ শতাংশ হারে। বিগত ২০২১-২২ অর্থবছরে ডিজেল থেকে প্রতি ইউনিট বিদ্যুৎ উৎপাদনে খরচ হয়েছে ৩৬.৬১ টাকা, ফার্নেস অয়েল থেকে ১৬.৮৬ টাকা, কয়লা থেকে ১৩.৪০ টাকা এবং সৌরশক্তি থেকে ১৩.৩০ টাকা। 

গবেষণাপত্রে সরকারের কাছে প্রস্তাবিত আইইপিএমপি বাতিল করে মুজিব জলবায়ু সমৃদ্ধি পরিকল্পনা ও মাননীয় প্রধানমন্ত্রীর প্রতিশ্রুতি অনুসারে অর্থনৈতিক সমৃদ্ধি, জ্বালানি নিরাপত্তা ও জাতীয় মালিকানার ভিত্তিতে নিজস্ব বিশেষজ্ঞদের সংযুক্ত করার মাধ্যমে দীর্ঘমেয়াদি জ্বালানি ও বিদ্যুৎ মহাপরিকল্পনা প্রণয়নের দাবি জানানো হয়।

Proposed Energy & Power Master Plan contradicts Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan

19 May 2023 | Bangladesh 
---------------------------------

See the Policy Brief (Bangla | English)


The Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network (CLEAN) and Bangladesh Working Group on Ecology and Development (BWGED) urged the State Minister of Power and parliamentary standing committees to cancel the Integrated Energy and Power Sector Master Plan (IEPMP) proposed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Institute of Energy Economics, Japan (IEEJ) as it is harmful to the economy of Bangladesh, disastrous for the environment, contradicts Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan (MCPP) and against the commitment of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. The organizations demanded it in a Policy Brief on the proposed IEPMP today. 

The Policy Brief reads that JICA and IEEJ did not consult with different sects of the society, including energy users and renewable energy promoters, in the formulation process. They organized two consultation meetings with the civil society representatives, but none of their opinions are reflected in the draft report. The consultants have not organized consultation meetings with the parliamentarians, particularly parliamentary standing committees on the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources; on the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and the Ministry of Planning. 

The Policy Brief also reads that the Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan (MCPP), approved by the cabinet, is committed to implementing 30% Renewable Energy by 2030, 40% by 2041 and 100% by 2050. During the UN Climate Conference, the Prime Minister echoed the target in December 2021. But the IEPMP proposed 30.7% fossil fuels (Coal and LNG), 32.8% so-called Advanced Technology (liquid hydrogen, ammonia and carbon capture & storage) and only 17.1% Renewables by 2050. This proposition is totally against the Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan and the commitment of the Prime Minister. 

Bangladesh spends around BDT 40,000 crore from foreign currency reserves to import LNG and BDT 25,000 crore to import coal annually. Besides, BDT 23,000 will have to pay in FY 2022-23 as the capacity charge. In the alternative, renewable energy-based power plants do not have any capacity charges to pay. The proposed IEPMP will make Bangladesh dependable on fossil fuels and unproven technologies imported from the exporting countries. It will further weigh down the economy. On the other hand, Renewable energy can ensure energy security in Bangladesh and save foreign currency reserves. 

The policy brief says the generation cost of fossil fuel-based power has been increasing by 12% while the cost of power from renewables is reducing by 10% annually. In FY 2021-22, the unit cost of power generated from diesel was taka 36.61, followed by furnace oil (tk. 16.86), coal (tk. 13.40) and solar power (tk. 13.30). 

The organizations urged the Government to cancel the proposed IEPMP and formulate a nationally-owned long-term Energy and Power Master Plan involving local energy experts in line with the Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan to ensure economic prosperity, energy security and climate responsibility. 

Besides publication, the organizations submitted the Policy Brief to Nasrul Hamid, the State Minister for the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources (MOPEMR), Waseqa Ayesha Khan, Chair of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources; Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Chair of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; Hasanul Haq Inu, Chair of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Information; Nahim Razzaq and Tanvir Shakil Joy, Convener and Chairperson of the Climate Parliament Bangladesh respectively, through email.

Declaration of the Conference on Bangladesh Energy Prosperity 2050

Bangladesh Energy Prosperity 2050
CONFERENCE DECLARATION 
29 April 2023, Dhaka, Bangladesh


We, the 283 representatives of policymakers and civil society*, being part of the Bangladesh Energy Prosperity 2050 Conference — 
  1. Recognize and appreciate the significant progress the Government of Bangladesh (GOB) made in achieving 100% electricity coverage and initiating national energy connectivity across the energy and power sector;
  2. Are united in our appreciation of the GOB for devising the Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan (MCPP) that sets targets for the country's energy and power sector transformation, i.e., 30% Renewable Energy (RE) in the energy mix by 2030, 40% by 2041, and 100% by 2050;
  3. Acknowledge that the MCPP's RE targets are aligned with Article 16 of the Constitution of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, which directs the State to transform rural areas through electrification radically; Article 18A directs State to protect and improve the environment for the present and future generations; and the Planetary Emergency declared by the Parliament of Bangladesh;
  4. Request the GOB to establish the MCPP as the guiding policy instrument over vertical, horizontal and related policy documents, including but not limited to the Perspective Plan 2041 and Five Years Plans (FYP) devised to realize Vision 2041, National Energy Policy 2004, Draft National Renewable Energy Policy 2022, Delta Plan 2100, Draft National Solar Energy Roadmap 2041, Energy Efficiency and Conservation Master Plan 2016-2030, and Import Policy Order 2021-2024. This alignment is necessary to ensure energy sustainability by promoting RE as much as fast possible;
  5. Are concerned that the draft Integrated Energy and Power Master Plan (IEPMP) is not aligned with the MCPP and other policy directions and decisions adopted by the Cabinet;
  6. Are concerned that the draft IEPMP was formulated with limited country ownership where most key stakeholders were not sufficiently consulted. Even key policymaking bodies, especially those related to the energy and power sector, were neither fully included in the process nor briefed on the outcome;
  7. Request that the GOB initiates a nationally owned inclusive IEPMP process that takes into account the contributions of fossil fuels to carbon emissions, modern technology use, integration of renewable energy in major economic activities, public debt incurred by the import of fossil fuel, and thereby revises the IEPMP to align with the MCPP to enhance energy sovereignty, prioritize energy security, economic stability, social and environmental sustainability;
  8. Request the GOB for increased public investment to upgrade the Transmission and Distribution (T&D) systems to meet upcoming challenges of intermittent power supply from renewable sources;
  9. Are concerned that the adoption of new technologies such as liquid hydrogen, ammonia, carbon capture and storage (CCS), which are still unproven and expensive, would decrease energy security and lock Bangladesh into an unsustainable long-term dependency on foreign energy-producing countries;
  10. Demand that the GOB prioritizes solar and wind in power generation to make Bangladesh more resilient and secure from the market volatility of fossil fuels, geopolitics and war and reverse the trend of declining foreign currency reserves;
  11. Request that the GOB urgently establish a Renewable Energy Division (RED) under the Ministry of Power Energy and Mineral Resources (MOPEMR) to strategically establish RE as the fastest growing least-cost energy source that powers the inclusive and sustainable development of Bangladesh and make Vision 2041 a reality, establish a One-stop Service Centre (OSSC) that fast tracks the achievement of RE targets, and endows the Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA) with the mandate and resources to achieve MCPP targets;
  12. Urge the GOB to allocate sufficient budgetary resources to promote RE beginning this year and increasing annually after that and create regulatory frameworks and incentives for green financing until renewable energy targets set in the MCPP are achieved;
  13. Demand appropriate fiscal measures, including immediate cancellation of import tax on renewable accessories and incentivization of RE for producers to facilitate much more sustainable economic development;
  14. Request the enhanced implementation of net-metering systems so individuals, businesses and communities can be empowered to enter into positive partnerships to help achieve renewable energy targets of MCPP and rapidly transition Bangladesh away from fossil fuel dominance in the energy mix;
  15. Further request a legal framework and incentives to facilitate on-grid and off-grid community-based RE, solar irrigation and integrated biogas. We also request to use Khas and reclaimed land available across the country for establishing renewables plants;
  16. Demand a capacity enhancement mechanism and information network to create a transition of human resources to support the RE goals;
  17. Implore exploring bilateral, regional, plurilateral and multilateral cooperation to achieve MCPP targets, particularly strengthening the regional green grid and mobilizing technologies and financial resources for renewables. At the regional level, we request the GOB to kick off diplomatic initiatives for basin-based management, particularly to initiate Integrated Water Resource Management and to contribute to energy security;
  18. Insist that the GOB devises a strategy for the gradual withdrawal of fossil fuel subsidies to secure a level-playing field for RE and fossil fuel-based power generation;
  19. Request the introduction of a Carbon Tax that would be an instrumental measure to promote green growth in the country;
  20. Demand that in all development efforts, including in the energy and power sector, the GOB will follow a ‘no-harm principle’ for people's lives, livelihoods, and the environment. We hope these efforts will be strengthened through an information disclosure policy as well as through the protection of whistleblowers; and
  21. Ensure that all the propositions in this declaration align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agreed upon at United Nations that the GOB has been considering as a priority.
----------------
* Led by an Organizing Committee convened by Saber Hossain Chowdhury MP and Hasanul Haq Inu MP, hosted by the Bangladesh Working Group on External Debt (BWGED), Climate Parliament Bangladesh and the Earth Society in association with ActionAid Bangladesh, Bright Green Energy Foundation (BGEF), Center for Participatory Research and Development (CPRD), Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), Change Initiative, CLEAN (Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network), Participatory Research & Action Network (PRAAN), Solis Power and Energy Limited (SPEL) and Waterkeepers Bangladesh, from 27 to 29 April 2023 in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Members of Parliament (MPs), power producers, energy experts, economists, investors, diplomats, think tanks, lawyers, anthropologists, trade unionists, and representatives of non-government organizations and communities, including women and youths and students, have joined the BEP2050 conference.

Job Vacancy: Energy Researcher


  • Work Station: Khulna, Bangladesh
  • Job Grade: Third-tier Researcher
  • Closing Date: 25 March 2023 | 11:59 PM

Bangladesh Working Group on External Debt (BWGED) is looking for suitable candidates for the position of two Energy Researchers who will conduct research on the Environmental, Social, Economic, and Climatic impacts of Energy Transition in Bangladesh. Interested candidates are requested to submit their Curriculum Vitae with a cover letter and two references to dishakln@gmail.com no later than 25 March 2023, Saturday 11:59 PM.


About BWGED
-------------------------------------
Bangladesh Working Group on External Debt (BWGED) is a flexible civil society forum of progressive activists and organizations from all over Bangladesh. The Working Group is currently working to shift from ‘External Debt’ to ‘Ecology and Development’ to include broader communities in the movement. BWGED works on four thematic areas such as (i) Environment & Climate, (ii) Energy & Power, (iii) Large Infrastructure, and (iv) Water & Agriculture. BWGED has been working for the green and equitable energy transition in Bangladesh since 2015. Learn more: https://bwged.org.


Working Environment 
-------------------------------------
  • Job Station: Khulna city (70% of the active time) but frequent visits are required to the project sites (30% of the active time) 
  • Report to: Research Officer 
  • Coordinate with: Research Fellows, Information Officer 
  • Supervise: Research Interns 
  • Work Days: Saturday - Thursday except for the public holidays 
  • Working Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM with a one-hour lunch break 
  • Duration: Two years initially with an option of extension.

Remuneration & Benefits
-------------------------------------
An annual package of negotiable payment with other organizational benefits.


Responsibilities 
------------------------------------- 
  1. Collecting and analyzing primary and secondary data on the energy infrastructures;
  2. Writing articles, and essays on the environmental, social, financial, and economic aspects of energy infrastructures; 
  3. Writing opinion pieces on different technical aspects of terminologies, fuels, and technologies of the energy sector;
  4. Writing and presenting research, and study reports; and 
  5. Supporting colleagues for capacity building in the energy sector in Bangladesh.

Eligibility 
------------------------------------- 
  1. Bachelor of Science in Electrical, Electronic, Environment, Forestry, or relevant subjects;
  2. At least one year of experience in the field of research;
  3. Solid skill in writing articles and essays in English and Bengali;
  4. Published at least 1 (one) paper for any reputed institutions, or journals; and
  5. A clear understanding of data management, analysis, synthesizing, and narrative building.

Equality
------------------------------------- 
BWGED is committed to ensuring equality and to valuing diversity and is keen to reflect the diversity of the societies in which we work. Considering the socio-economic position and conditions in Bangladesh, female candidates and candidates from cultural diversity are encouraged.


Application
------------------------------------- 
If you are confident enough to take the challenge, please send a Curriculum Vitae with three references to disakln@gmail.com by 25 March 2023, Thursday 11:59 PM. Only short-listed candidates will be interviewed in the last week of March 2023.

Job Opportunity: Energy Campaigner


Work Station: Khulna, Bangladesh
Job Grade: Third-tier leadership
Closing Date: 25 March 2023 | 11:59 PM

Bangladesh Working Group on External Debt (BWGED) is looking for a suitable candidate for the position of Energy Campaigner who will organize the campaign and ‍advocacy-related actions on the just and equitable energy transition in Bangladesh. Interested candidates are requested to submit their Curriculum Vitae to dishakln@gmail.com with a cover letter and two references no later than 25 March 2023, Saturday 11:59 PM Bangladesh Standard time.

BWGED

The Bangladesh Working Group on External Debt (BWGED) is a flexible civil society forum of progressive activists and organizations from all over Bangladesh. The Working Group is currently working to shift from ‘External Debt’ to ‘Ecology and Development’ to include broader communities in the movement. BWGED works on four thematic areas such as (i) Environment & Climate, (ii) Energy & Power, (iii) Large Infrastructure, and (iv) Water & Agriculture. BWGED has been working for the green and equitable energy transition in Bangladesh since 2015. Learn more: https://bwged.org.

Working Environment

  • Job Station: Khulna city (around 70% of the time) but frequent visits are required to the communities (around 30% of the time)
  • Report to: Campaign Coordinator
  • Coordinate with: Energy Researchers, Finance & Admin Officer
  • Supervise: Volunteers and Campaign Partners
  • Work Days: Saturday - Thursday except for the public holidays
  • Working Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM with a one-hour lunch break
  • Duration: Two years initially with an option of extension

Remuneration & Benefits

An annual package of negotiable payment with other organizational benefits.

Responsibilities

  1. Contribute to preparing the Campaign Plans as per the Annual Action Plan;
  2. Developing visual materials and narratives for the campaign programs;
  3. Organizing campaign programs targeting the policymakers, developers, financiers, and decision-makers;
  4. Effective communication with campaign partners to ensure result-based campaigns;
  5. Ensuring proper documentation of the campaigns and progress reports; and
  6. Work with other colleagues for progress and prosperity.

Qualification

  1. Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Science, Social Science, or relevant field;
  2. Basic knowledge of designing software such as Photoshop and Illustrator.
  3. At least 1 year of work experience in campaign and advocacy;
  4. Program organizing skills, including multitasking and time management;
  5. Familiarity with partnership management and quality control; and
  6. Strong teamwork skills.

Equality

BWGED is committed to ensuring equality and to valuing diversity and is keen to reflect the diversity of the societies in which we work. Considering the socio-economic position and conditions in Bangladesh, female candidates and candidates from cultural diversity are encouraged.


Application Process

If you are confident enough to take the challenge, please send a Curriculum Vitae with three references to dishakln@gmail.com by 25 March 2023, Saturday 11:59 PM. Only short-listed candidates will be interviewed in the last week of March 2023.

Job Opportunity: Campaign Coordinator



Work Station: Khulna, Bangladesh 
Job Grade: Second-tier leadership 
Closing Date: 25 February 2023 | 11:59 PM

Bangladesh Working Group on External Debt (BWGED) is looking for a suitable candidate for the position of Campaign Coordinator who will run the campaign and ‍advocacy-related actions on the just and equitable energy transition in Bangladesh. Interested candidates are requested to submit their Curriculum Vitae to dishakln@gmail.com with a cover letter and two references no later than 25 February 2023, Saturday 11:59 PM.

About BWGED

Bangladesh Working Group on External Debt (BWGED) is a flexible civil society forum of progressive activists and organizations from all over Bangladesh. BWGED started its activities as the ‘Working Group on IFIs’. But later BWGED was expanded to the broader community by changing the phrase to ‘External Debt’ in 2016. The Working Group is currently working to shift from ‘External Debt’ to ‘Ecology and Development’ to include even broader communities in the movement. BWGED works on four thematic areas such as (i) Environment & Climate, (ii) Energy & Power, (iii) Large Infrastructure, and (iv) Water & Agriculture. BWGED has been working for the green and equitable energy transition in Bangladesh since 2015. Learn more: https://bwged.org. 

Working Environment 

  • Job Station: Khulna city (around 70% of the time) but frequent visits are required to the project sites (around 30% of the time) 
  • Report to: Programme Coordinator 
  • Coordinate with: Research Coordinator, Energy Expert (Renewables), Finance & Admin Officer 
  • Supervise: Campaign Officers, Campaigners, Volunteers 
  • Work Days: Saturday - Thursday except for the public holidays 
  • Working Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM with a one-hour lunch break 
  • Duration: Two years initially with an option of extension 

Remuneration & Benefits

An annual package of negotiable payment with other organizational benefits. 

Responsibilities

  1. Preparing the Annual Campaign Plans as per the Projects, Programmes, and momentums;
  2. Coordinating the activities, resources, equipment, and information;
  3. Designing and Organizing innovative campaigns and advocacy with the policymakers, developers, financiers, and decision-makers;
  4. Communicating with and supervising the staff members and campaign partners to ensure proper implementation of the result-based campaigns;
  5. Supervising the staff and partners for ensuring standards and requirements are met with quality;
  6. Ensuring proper documentation of the campaigns and progress reports; and
  7. Work with other colleagues to eliminate barriers. 

Qualification 

  1. Master's Degree in Environmental Science, Social Science, or relevant field; 
  2. At least 3 years of work experience in campaign and advocacy; 
  3. Solid organizational skills, including multitasking and time management; 
  4. Familiarity with partnership management and quality control 
  5. Strong teamwork skills

Equality

BWGED is committed to ensuring equality and to valuing diversity and is keen to reflect the diversity of the societies in which we work. Considering the socio-economic position and conditions in Bangladesh, female candidates and candidates from cultural diversity are encouraged.

Application Process

If you are confident enough to take the challenge, please send a Curriculum Vitae with two references to dishakln@gmail.com by 25 February 2023, Saturday 11:59 PM. Only short-listed candidates will be interviewed in the last week of February 2023.

Letter to the President of China on the Eve of Chinese New Year 2023




22 January 2023 

H.E. Mr. Xi Jinping 
Honorable President of the People's Republic of China 

Copy to
  • Mr. Li Keqiang, Honorable Premier, People's Republic of China
  • Mr. Wang Wentao, Honorable Minister of Commerce, People's Republic of China
  • Mr. Wang Yi, Honorable Minister of Foreign Affairs, People's Republic of China
  • Ms. Hu Xiaolian, Party Secretary & Chairwoman, Export-Import Bank of China
  • Mr. Liu Shoufeng, International Business Dept, Export-Import Bank of China
  • Mr. Yao Wen, Honorable Ambassador, Embassy of China in Bangladesh
  • Mr. Song Yang, Economic and Commercial Counsellor, Embassy of China in Bangladesh

Dear Sir 
Wish you a happy Lunar New Year and a prosperous Spring Festival 2023! 

On behalf of the Civil Society of Bangladesh, we wish the Government and the people of China, including those who are living here in Bangladesh, a happy and fulfilling time of celebration and friendship as you renew the bonds between friends and reunite with family during this festival. 

As we enter the New Year, we are also passing 47 years since the establishment of the diplomatic relationship between Bangladesh and China, and China emerged as the largest foreign direct investment source of Bangladesh. It is also ranked top among foreign investors, with 104 investors in eight Export-processing Zones of Bangladesh. Chinese companies are currently implementing 27 projects in Bangladesh under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). 

On this occasion, we would like to recall the letter from the Economic and Commercial Counsellor (ECCO)’s letter to the Ministry of Finance of Bangladesh sent on 2 February 2021 stating that China would no longer consider projects with high pollution and high energy consumption, such as coal mining, and coal-fired power stations. We also recall the speech of President H.E. Mr. Xi Jinping at the UN General Assembly on 21 September 2021, “China will step up support for other developing countries in developing green and low-carbon energy, and will not build new coal-fired power projects abroad”. We appreciate the journey of China in the energy transition from fossil fuel to renewable energy. 

China is embracing a new era of clean energy through innovative construction, cheaper technology, and systematic changes to its energy infrastructure. In this process, the country has built the world’s largest renewable energy generation system with a capacity of 7,142 tWh, and becoming an important force in promoting global green energy development. China is also the largest investor in renewables in the world. 

So, we are eagerly waiting to see that the Government of the People's Republic of China has taken necessary actions against the human rights violation at project sites (e.g. S.S. Power Limited), stop financing coal-fired power plants (e.g. Second Phase of Payra 1320 MW Thermal Power Plant Project) and boost up financing for renewables especially Solar and wind power plants so that Bangladesh can achieve the target of implementing 100% renewables by 2050 in line with the Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan (MCPP). 

Happy Chinese New Year 2023, once again!

Dr. Kazi Maruful Islam                                 Hasan Mehedi
Convener                                                                   Member Secretary
Bangladesh Working Group on External Debt (BWGED)
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)