Bangladesh Aims to Be a Beacon of Hope: CA Yunus at Earthna Summit

Bangladesh stands ready to shine as a beacon of hope for the world, declared Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus at the opening session of the Earthna Summit 2025 in Doha. Addressing a global audience, Prof Yunus emphasized the nation's commitment to building an inclusive and sustainable future—rooted in tradition, justice, dignity, and opportunity.

"We want to stand as a beacon of hope for the world and invite our friends and partners to help rewrite inclusive social contracts,” said Prof Yunus. “We must explore the transformative role of social business and financial inclusion, especially microfinance, in unlocking economic opportunities for the marginalized."

He envisioned a new social contract where empowering vulnerable communities and ensuring access to financial tools are fundamental pillars.

While outlining a bold and hopeful vision, Prof Yunus also sounded the alarm over growing global challenges.

“We live in a time of profound uncertainty—where multilateralism is under serious threat, climate change is accelerating, geopolitical tensions are rising, and humanitarian crises are deepening,” he said. “The urgency for renewed regional and global cooperation has never been greater.”

Urging the world to act with courage and unity, he declared: “Let us be bold. Let us build a world where no one is too poor to dream, and no dream is too big to achieve. The future is not something we inherit—it’s something we create. And each of us has a role to play.”

The Chief Adviser praised Qatar’s efforts in championing sustainability and innovation, particularly through initiatives like the Earthna Summit. He highlighted the host nation’s leadership in addressing climate change, social inequality, and the evolving landscape of work through a blend of innovation, tradition, and global collaboration.

In his keynote address, Prof Yunus also reaffirmed the transformative potential of social business, microfinance, and inclusive economic models in building resilient communities and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

He expressed gratitude to Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, and Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice Chairperson and CEO, for organizing the timely and visionary gathering.

Held under the theme “Building Our Legacy: Sustainability, Innovation, and Traditional Knowledge,” the second edition of the Earthna Summit showcases Qatar’s commitment to sustainability in hot and arid environments. Drawing on the nation’s rich cultural heritage and ecosystems, the summit serves as a platform for dialogue on the integration of traditional wisdom with modern solutions.

Running from April 22–23, the event features a diverse lineup of presentations, panel discussions, workshops, and roundtables. The Earthna Village at Barahat Msheireb also offers a space for inspiring talks and interactive discussions led by global and local experts.

A series of side events, networking sessions, and community-driven dialogues are also being held by partner organizations, reflecting the collaborative spirit of the summit.