Yunus Urges Faster Tech Drive to Keep Pace With World

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus addresses the inaugural session of the “Digital Device and Innovation Expo 2026” at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre (BCFCC) on Wednesday.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday called for a rapid acceleration of technological advancement to keep Bangladesh aligned with a fast-changing world, saying technology will shape the country’s future.

“The coming world will be fundamentally different. Many things we cannot imagine today will soon become reality,” he said, warning that failure to match global momentum would leave Bangladesh far behind in thought, action and preparedness.

Prof Yunus made the remarks while addressing the inaugural session of the four-day Digital Device and Innovation Expo 2026 at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre.

Organised jointly by the ICT Division, the Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority and the Bangladesh Computer Samity, the expo is being held under the theme ‘Bangladesh to the World’ and will run until January 31.

Although Bangladesh appears to be moving alongside others, the Chief Adviser said the country is lagging behind because adequate attention has not been given to the ICT sector, which he described as the “core sector” shaping the future.

“Other traditional sectors will continue to exist, but technology will remain the driving force—like air or wind—touching and transforming every sector,” he said, urging policymakers to break away from conventional thinking when framing policies.

He stressed that meaningful preparation must begin now, adding that the quality of discussions, visions and institutional frameworks emerging from such expos would determine the country’s future direction.

Highlighting a widening generational gap, Prof Yunus noted that today’s children interact with technology instinctively, creating a leadership crisis where older generations struggle to guide the young—not due to ill intent, but because their thinking no longer aligns.

He said outdated worldviews still dominate the ICT sector and emphasised the need for genuine digital governance so that government services reach citizens directly. “People should not go to the government; services should go to them,” he said, adding that such a system would significantly reduce corruption.

Referring to the student-led July Uprising of 2024, Prof Yunus said today’s youth—globally connected and technologically empowered—are the most powerful generation in human history and will play leadership roles both at home and abroad.

He recalled that the internet shutdown during that period triggered nationwide anger, underscoring how deeply technology is embedded in young people’s lives and how vital connectivity has become.

Cautioning that technology can magnify both strengths and weaknesses, the Chief Adviser expressed concern over the misuse of digital tools for forgery, which he said has harmed Bangladesh’s global reputation. While acknowledging the creativity behind such acts, he urged that talent be channelled towards ethical and constructive purposes.

“Let us come out of fraud, adopt realistic policies and build a truly pro-people system of governance,” he said.

Earlier, Prof Yunus launched the website and logo of the Bangladesh Innovation Challenge, aimed at accelerating innovation at school and college levels.

Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb attended the event as special guest, with ICT Division Secretary Shish Haider Chowdhury in the chair. Welcome addresses were delivered by BHTPA Managing Director Md Mamunur Rashid Bhuiyan and BCS President Mohammad Zahirul Islam.

Following the inaugural session—which included the national anthem, a theme song and an audio-visual presentation titled ‘Create Here, Connect Everywhere’—the Chief Adviser visited various stalls at the expo.

The event seeks to promote innovation, enhance technological capacity and attract investment, featuring digital devices, mobile and e-sports, alongside seminars, panel discussions and special product offers.