Professor Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Advisor of the Interim Government, has proposed the creation of a South Asian grid for the sharing of hydropower between Nepal and Bhutan. He made the suggestion during a meeting with the Social Business Group on Wednesday (November 13) alongside the climate conference in Baku, Azerbaijan.

According to the press wing of the Chief Advisor, Dr. Yunus pointed out that the lack of an interconnected electricity grid between Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Bhutan has led to the underutilization of the vast hydropower potential of the Himalayan countries.

Nepalese officials have mentioned that their country has the potential to generate 40,000 megawatts of hydropower, which could help reduce dependence on fossil fuels in large countries like India and Bangladesh.

"Bangladesh can easily import hydropower from Nepal as it is only 40 miles away, and Nepal’s hydropower would be cheaper," stated Professor Yunus, suggesting that the creation of a South Asian grid connecting Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Bhutan should be considered.

During his participation in the COP29 climate conference in Baku, the Chief Advisor emphasized that Bangladesh has prioritized water management to prevent floods and is working to make the best use of water resources to boost the country's economic growth. He added, "Water is our main environmental challenge. Our water management must be done in a way that supports nature."

In the social business meeting, Professor Yunus highlighted the Interim Government’s focus on youth development and reforms in the country’s education system.

He also mentioned that the government plans to organize a festival for youth in January, coinciding with the country's cricket board's annual T-20 BPL cricket tournament. FIFA President Gianni Infantino and IOC President Thomas Bach are expected to attend the festival. A tournament for women’s football is also being planned. "We are trying to organize this festival across the country," he said.