On 3rd August, 2025, Dr. Shikha Thapa Magar, Executive Director NDRI, took part in a round table discussion titled: Bangladesh-Nepal Relations: A Renewed Outlook jointly organized by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) in partnership with the Nepal Economic Forum (NEF). The event brought together a distinguished group of policymakers, diplomats, economists, and private sector leaders to explore avenues for deeper collaboration between the two South Asian neighbors. Dr Thapa Magar drew attention to Nepal’s expertise in mountain ecosystems and community-based adaptation strategies. She also highlighted the history of CPD and NDRI, shared challenges and opportunities of both countries, trade potentials and barriers, and strategic sectors of potential collaboration, emphasizing Nepal’s unique expertise in mountain ecosystems and community-based climate adaptation strategies. 

The event was attended by distinguished professionals, including H.E. Mr Ghanshyam Bhandari, Ambassador of Nepal to Bangladesh, Dr Syed Muntasir Mamun, Director General at Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Md Abdur Razzak, CEO of the Bangladesh Foreign Trade Institute (BFTI), Executive Director of CPD, Dr Fahmida Khatun, Mr Sujeev Shakya, Chair of NEF, Mr Fahim Ahmed, CEO of Pathao Ltd, among others. Further, read the coverage by CPD via this LINK.