Achim Tröster, Ambassador of Germany to Bangladesh, delivered the keynote address at the inaugural episode of the “Ambassador Talk” series on May 29, held at Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB).

Jointly organized by IUB’s Department of Global Studies and Governance (GSG) and the Center for Bay of Bengal Studies (CBoBS), the event was titled “BEYOND BORDERS: What Bangladesh Can Learn from Germany’s Regional Vision.”

In his speech, the German Envoy shared insights on Germany’s balancing of values and interests through a rules-based global order. He explored promising avenues for Germany-Bangladesh cooperation in sectors such as trade, industrial diversification, green technology, and the fight against climate change, particularly in preserving biodiversity in the Sundarbans.

He expressed a firm commitment to strengthening academic and development ties through bilateral initiatives, supported by over €1.2 billion in ongoing projects financed and implemented by the German Cooperation in Bangladesh.

In his remarks, Prof. Daniel W. Lund, Pro Vice Chancellor of IUB, appreciated the spirit of knowledge-sharing and diplomacy that defined the event. Earlier, the session began with welcome remarks from Dr. Marufa Akter, Head of the GSG Department, who reflected on her enriching academic journey in Germany.

Ambassador (Retd.) Tariq A. Karim, Advisor to CBoBS, spoke from personal and professional experience about regional cooperation. He recalled that it was in Germany where he first learned the importance of regionalism, adding that Bangladesh could and should contribute to shaping South Asia’s regional identity.

He further reflected on how Germany and France, despite a difficult history, came together to lead the unification of Europe. “European cooperation is not only about ceding sovereignty but also about pooling sovereignty to achieve shared goals,” he said.

The discussion segment addressed topics including sustainable industrialization, trade relations, Bangladesh’s path to LDC graduation, and the role of youth in regional peacebuilding. The Q&A session explored how Germany balances industrial growth with environmental sustainability, labor rights, and the lessons learned from multilateral cooperation.

The event concluded with a cultural performance by the IUB Music Club, reinforcing the theme of unity through diversity. It marked not only the beginning of the Ambassador Talk series but also a promising step toward deeper collaboration and mutual learning between Bangladesh and Germany.

MSK/