Bangladesh has marked a significant milestone on the international stage as it prepares to participate, for the first time, in the International Olympiad on Climate Change and Environmental Issues (IOCE 2025), one of the world’s foremost platforms for young innovators tackling environmental challenges.
The event is scheduled to take place in Sochi, Russia, from September 13 to 20.
The Bangladeshi delegation, comprising a team leader and four student participants, will join peers from more than 20 countries in a week-long convergence of academic rigor and applied science.
The Olympiad features a blend of theoretical exams, laboratory experiments, environmental fieldwork, workshops, and the much-anticipated “Festival of Projects,” where national teams will present their eco-innovations. Bangladesh’s participation is sponsored by FlyDubai.
Innovation at the Forefront: AI-Powered Wildfire Detection
For its debut, Bangladesh will present an ambitious and timely innovation — an AI-based Wildfire Prediction System. Designed to deliver real-time risk alerts, the system combines solar-powered IoT sensors with artificial intelligence. Its sustainable, low-cost model is aimed at enhancing disaster preparedness and overcoming the limitations of traditional wildfire surveillance methods. The project underscores Bangladesh’s growing commitment to climate resilience through technological advancement.
Structure of the Olympiad
Participants will first be tested through individual and team-based theoretical exams. They will then be tasked with completing environmental research in a protected natural reserve, followed by analysis and reporting in a laboratory setting. Cumulative performance across these stages will determine the rankings and final awards.
Meet the Team
Team Bangladesh is led by Farhan Masud Tassine, a postgraduate student at BRAC University. He is joined by four young talents from diverse educational backgrounds:
- Mahdi Bin Ferdaus – Vashantek Government College
- Taseen Mohammad – BIAM Model School & College
- Md Nur Ahmad – Rajshahi Collegiate School
- Md Ashikur Rahman – Harimohan Government High School
Together, they aim to showcase the innovative potential of Bangladeshi youth on a global platform.
Purpose Beyond Competition
More than a contest, the participation holds profound symbolic significance. Bangladesh, often depicted as a climate-vulnerable nation, seeks to recast its global narrative — from that of a victim to an active problem-solver in the climate discourse.
“This is our chance to show the world that we’re not just suffering the effects of climate change — we’re developing solutions,” said a spokesperson associated with the initiative.
The participation also aligns closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly:
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Organizers and Broader Agenda
IOCE 2025 is being organized by the Sirius Federal Territory and the Talent & Success Educational Foundation, in partnership with Russia’s Ministry of Education. Beyond competition, the event will also host international forums focused on renewable energy, biodiversity, waste management, and sustainable urban planning — areas where Bangladesh hopes to contribute and learn.
Against the Odds, A Nation Rises
The road to Sochi has not been without challenges. Limited institutional experience in global Olympiads, resource constraints, and the academic pressures faced by the students were significant hurdles. But with the support of educators, mentors, and families, the team has shown remarkable determination.
As anticipation builds at home, this moment signals more than a scientific endeavor — it represents a nation’s growing capacity to lead on global environmental issues.
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