Published: 12:00 AM, 13 April 2026
Netherlands diplomat addresses water management issues at university conference
Neeltje Kielen, Delegated Representative, Water Affairs at the Netherlands Embassy in Dhaka, inaugurated a two days long conference at a university in the capital on Saturday. AA
An international conference on sustainable development running for two days on 11 and 12 April 2026 was hosted by United International University (UIU) in the capital Dhaka city.
It was organized by the Institute of Development Studies and Sustainability of the university with participation of academic scholars, environmentalists, government high-ups, media professionals and researchers from home and abroad.
The inaugural program of the conference was held on 11 April 2026. Neeltje Kielen, Delegated Representative, Water Affairs at the Netherlands Embassy in Dhaka graced the inaugural ceremony as the chief guest.
In her speech, Neeltje Kielen talked about the water management strategies followed by Netherlands and she came up with suggestions that countries like Bangladesh can comply with for properly utilizing water resources. Dutch diplomat Neeltje Kielen and Professor Dr. Sattar Mondal, Professorial Fellow of Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) presented the keynote paper. It was chaired by Professor Dr. Md. Abul Kashem Mia, Vice Chancellor of UIU.
Shreya Chakraborty, Country Focal Point, International Water Management Institute, Bangladesh and Dr. Khairul Islam, Regional Director at WaterAid, South Asia zone addressed the inaugural session as guests of honour. Professor Dr. Monowar Hossain, Rector of Engineering Staff College Bangladesh, chaired the plenary session. A good number of faculty members from different universities presented papers on both days of the conference. A panel discussion was held comprising domain experts followed by questions and answers. Professor Dr. Hamidul Huq, UIU gave the vote of thanks.
