Bangladesh–ASEAN Relations: Towards a New Partnership

Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies (BIPSS) hosted a high-level seminar on “Bangladesh–ASEAN Relations: Towards a New Partnership” on 31 August 2025 at The Westin, Dhaka. The distinguished panel featured Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, Former Advisor (GoB), Foreign Affairs and Distinguished Fellow, BIPSS; H.E. Mitchel Lee, Chargé d’Affaires a.i., Singapore High Commission in Dhaka; and Mr. Shafqat Munir, Senior Research Fellow, BIPSS and Head of BCTR. The event brought together diplomats, academics, experts, and development practitioners to explore pathways for strengthening Bangladesh’s engagement with ASEAN.

The discussions underscored the strategic importance of deepening Bangladesh–ASEAN relations in a range of critical areas. Panelists emphasized that cooperation in economic growth, digital economy, energy resilience, climate action, maritime security, disaster management, and people-to-people exchanges would be vital for forging a stronger partnership in the years ahead. A number of key takeaways emerged from the seminar.

Bangladesh’s Sectoral Dialogue Partnership was highlighted as a realistic and meaningful pathway to enhance engagement with ASEAN. Opportunities in trade, connectivity, energy, and digital integration were identified as drivers of mutual prosperity. Security cooperation—including counterterrorism, cyber defense, and maritime security—was noted as a central pillar of future collaboration.

The seminar concluded with a forward-looking vision that Bangladesh–ASEAN relations must evolve around mutual trust, shared resilience, and strategic cooperation in a rapidly changing global order.

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Bangladesh–ASEAN Relations: Towards a New Partnership