The three-day Renewable Energy Fest 2026 began at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) today, bringing together policymakers, researchers, investors, businesses and civil society representatives to develop an action-oriented agenda for a sustainable and just energy transition.
The festival, being held for the second time at the BUET Central Playground, aims to establish a platform linking policy, markets and communities and to develop concrete pathways for renewable energy through investment, innovation and partnerships, said a press release.
Organised jointly by ActionAid Bangladesh, BUET, Just Energy Transition Network Bangladesh (JETnet-BD) and BUET's Institute of Energy and Sustainable Development (IESD), the festival is themed “A Just, Inclusive and Green Energy Transition”.
The event brings together representatives of youth groups, women's organisations, labour communities, civil society and climate action networks.
A rally involving over 200 participants marched from Shaheed Minar to the BUET Central Playground to raise awareness about renewable energy and a just energy transition.
A flash mob performed by 30 artists, organised by Surjodoy Youth Society, followed the rally.
At a press conference at the venue, ActionAid Bangladesh Country Director Farah Kabir said climate change required the world to move away from fossil fuels and focus on innovation, discovery and renewable energy as alternative sources of energy.
“Bangladesh now stands at a critical juncture where it is essential to think, discuss, plan, and take concrete action, with appropriate budgetary commitments, on inclusive renewable energy and just transition, with farmers, women, and marginalized communities at the center,” she said.
Director of BUET's Institute of Energy and Sustainable Development Professor Dr M A A Shoukat Choudhury said energy was vital to every sphere of life, from daily activities to civilisational development and resource valuation.
“While we remain dependent on fossil fuels, we must build our capacity in renewable energy to ensure our energy security for the future,” he said.
Just Energy Transition Team Manager and JETnet-BD Member Secretary Md. Abul Kalam Azad said the festival was expected to generate an equity-based policy and investment agenda and serve as a national and regional platform for developing practical pathways from innovation to implementation through investment and partnerships.
He also expressed the expectation that the event would produce a clear post-festival action plan.