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বাংলাদেশের প্রতিবেশ ও উন্নয়ন বিষয়ক কর্মজোট
Bangladesh Working Group on Ecology and Development

The Bangladesh Working Group on Ecology and Development (BWGED) is a dynamic coalition of activists and organizations dedicated to safeguarding communities from the adverse impacts of large-scale development projects. As the secretariat, we work across Bagerhat, Barguna, Barishal, Bhola, Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Dhaka, Jamalpur, Khulna, Mymensingh, Narayanganj, Netrokona, Noakhali, Panchagarh, Patuakhali, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Satkhira, Sunamganj, and Sylhet, advocating for environmental justice, social equity, and responsible infrastructure development.


Originally established in 2013 by NGO Forum on ADB, BWGED was formed to ensure the protection of affected communities and human rights defenders from the harmful consequences of International Financial Institution (IFI)-financed projects. Over time, our scope has expanded, incorporating external debt issues in 2016 to challenge unjust financial mechanisms that burden communities and ecosystems.

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Our guiding framework, the Bangladesh Peoples Safeguard Position Paper, was collectively endorsed in 2016, laying the foundation for a movement that prioritizes transparency, accountability, and sustainable alternatives. BWGED remains an inclusive and flexible platform, bringing together civil society to amplify voices, resist destructive projects, and push for policy reforms that uphold environmental and social justice.

Photo: BWGED Annual Meeting 2025

VISION

BWGED envisions a just, prosperous, and environmentally sustainable Bangladesh, free from the burden of harmful and unjust financial practices. We strive for a future where economic policies and financial investments uphold human rights, protect natural ecosystems, and support the well-being of all communities. Our goal is to end destructive and unfair loans that exploit natural resources, displace communities, and threaten livelihoods, ensuring an equitable and thriving society for present and future generations.

MISSION

Our mission is to empower communities, civil society organizations, and policymakers with the knowledge and tools to resist harmful and unsustainable debts imposed by Multilateral Development Banks and other financial institutions. Through rigorous research and analysis, we expose the environmental, social, and economic consequences of illegal, illegitimate, odious, and unsustainable loans. We engage in advocacy and campaigns to hold financial institutions accountable and ensure responsible investment practices. BWGED mobilizes grassroots movements and facilitates dialogues with policymakers, development partners, and media to influence decision-making. By organizing conferences, protests, and lobbying efforts, we work to bring about policy reforms that prioritize environmental protection, human rights, and community well-being. Our ultimate goal is to build a financial and governance system that supports sustainable development and upholds the dignity and rights of all people in Bangladesh.

Energy Related News of Bangladesh

STEERING COMMITTEE

Dr. Kazi Maruful Islam

Convener

Professor, Dhaka University

Rebeka Sultana

Member

Executive Director, Onnochitra Bangladesh

Sheikh Rokon

Member

Secretary General, Riverine People

Monower Mostafa

Member

Networking Adviser, CLEAN (Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network)

Abdullah Al Noman

Member

Lawyer, Supreme Court of Bangladesh

Hasan Mehedi

Member Secretary

Chief Executive, CLEAN (Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network)

MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS

  1. An Organization for Socio-Economic Development (AOSED), Khulna

  2. Bandhan, Noakhali 

  3. Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA), Dhaka

  4. Bindu Nari Unnayan Sangathan, Satkhira

  5. Campaign for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods (CSRL), Dhaka 

  6. Center for Participatory Research and Development (CPRD), Dhaka

  7. Center for Rural Child Development (CRCD), Chittagong

  8. Change Initiative, Dhaka

  9. CLEAN (Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network), Khulna

  10. Development Synergy Institute (DSI), Dhaka 

  11. Equity and Justice Working Group - Bangladesh (EquityBD), Dhaka

  12. ISDE Bangladesh, Chittagong

  13. Mongla Nagorik Samaj, Bagerhat

  14. Nagorik Uddyog, Dhaka​

  15. Noakhali Rural Development Society (NRDS), Noakhali

  16. Online Knowledge Society (OKS)

  17. Onnochitra Bangladesh, Mymensingh

  18. Paribartan-Rajshahi, Rajshahi

  19. Participatory Research and Action Network (PRAAN), Noakhali, Chittagong 

  20. Prantojon Trust, Barisal

  21. Riverine People, Dhaka

  22. Safety and Rights Society (SRS), Dhaka

  23. Society for Participatory Empowerment for Development (SPED), Dhaka

  24. Society for Environment and Human Development (SEHD), Dhaka

  25. Society for People's Education, Empowerment and Development Trust (SPEED Trust), Barishal

  26. Songshoptaque, Chittagong

  27. Voices for Interactive Choice & Empowerment (VOICE), Dhaka

  28. YouthNet for Climate Justice, Barisal

INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS

  1. Abul Kalam Azad, Development Activist

  2. Abdullah Al Noman, Lawyer, Supreme Court of Bangladesh

  3. Barkatullah Maruf, Development Activist

  4. Basanti Saha, Lawyer, Judges Court, Dhaka 

  5. F.M. Anwar Hossain, Independent Consultant

  6. Gouranga Nandy, Journalist

  7. Kamrun Nahar Shova, Journalist

  8. Dr. Kazi Maruful Islam, Professor, Dhaka University

  9. Mohammad Shahid Ullah, Independent Activist

  10. Dr. Qazi Zahed Iqbal, Lawyer, Supreme Court of Bangladesh

  11. M. Aamanur Rahman Aaman, Development Activist

  12. Rahela Rabbani, Development Activist

  13. Sazia Sharmin, Research Coordinator, University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB)

  14. Sikandar Abu Zafar, Journalist

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The Bangladesh Working Group on External Debt (BWGED) is an open platform for activists committed to promoting ecological sustainability and equitable development. It stands against harmful projects financed through external debts, including those backed by bilateral and multilateral agencies, the private sector, and International Financial Institutions (IFIs), particularly the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and the World Bank (WB).

DISCLAIMER

The information and documents of BWGED are fully free for everybody to use for noncommercial purposes, especially in awareness building, campaigns,s and advocacy. Citation and mentioning the source are requested humbly.

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