Dr. Anisuzzaman Chowdhury. File Photo

DHAKA, Oct 30, 2025 (BSS) - Dr. Anisuzzaman Chowdhury, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser and Emeritus Professor at Western Sydney University, Australia, has said that knowledge innovation, policy diplomacy, and the rebuilding of social trust would determine the future of South Asia.

Dr Chowdhury made the remarks while addressing the IAS-SANPA International Conference 2025 at the Institute of Administrative Sciences (IAS), University of the Punjab, Lahore. 

The international event, themed "Local Realities and Regional Futures: Transforming Public Administration & Management in South Asia", began today at the Riazuddin Auditorium, CEMB.

The inaugural session was chaired by Dr. Sidra Irfan. Professor Dr. Kashif Rathore, Director of IAS, University of the Punjab, delivered the welcome address, said a Finance Ministry press release.

Professor Dr. Akhlaque Haque, President of SANPA, highlighted the importance of knowledge exchange in advancing the practice of public administration in South Asia. Professor Dr. Muhammad Ali, Vice Chancellor of the University of the Punjab, spoke as the patron of the conference.

The Chief Guest, Professor Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Government of Pakistan, underscored the significance of policy coherence, administrative capacity-building and regional cooperation. He stated, "It is high time to transform South Asia's geographic proximity into strategic partnership."

In his speech, Dr. Anisuzzaman Chowdhury emphasized that administration and development are not merely matters of structural reform; they require a synthesis of human values, justice, and contemporary knowledge systems. He called for regional policy coordination, research-based decision-making, and inclusive, technology-integrated governance as key to achieving sustainable development.

Dr. Chowdhury further stressed the need to involve youth and universities in knowledge partnerships and public innovation labs, and proposed strengthening the Bangladesh-Pakistan-South Asia Academic and Policy Diplomacy Platform. Reflecting on the region's shared history, he noted, "Where political boundaries divide us, the pursuit of knowledge and development brings us together."

The event was attended by High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Pakistan, senior officials of the University of the Punjab, policymakers, researchers, and international participants. Over the two days, leading South Asian scholars, administrators, and policy experts will exchange ideas on the transformation of governance and public management in the region.