On a Monday, September 21st, I had the privilege to attend a special event at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The gathering brought together diplomats, Nobel laureates, ministers, and journalists to discuss social business, youth, and technology. This event was part of the numerous meetings held during the high-level week of the United Nations General Assembly. The focus of the event was on the concept of microcredit, which originated in a rural village in Bangladesh 50 years ago and has since become a fundamental aspect of global development strategies.
Titled “Social Business, Youth and Technology,” the event took place during the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, under the theme “2026: 50 Years of Microcredit, 2030: The Year of Social Business.” This year holds special significance as it marks the 50th anniversary of the inception of microcredit and the 20th anniversary of Professor Muhammad Yunus and Grameen Bank being jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. While the event acknowledged these milestones, the discussions primarily focused on future prospects rather than past achievements.
Professor Yunus, a Nobel laureate himself, commenced the event by acknowledging Dr. Khalilur Rahman’s presidency of the 81st UNGA session and welcoming fellow Nobel Peace laureate José Ramos-Horta, the President of Timor-Leste. He highlighted the initiatives of Grameen America, such as healthcare centers and upcoming projects like Grameen University aimed at fostering entrepreneurship. Dr. Khalilur Rahman emphasized social business as a sustainable approach for societal progress.
President Ramos-Horta shared his positive impressions from a visit to Bangladesh in December 2024, praising the country’s democratic advancements. The camaraderie among these individuals reflected a history of collaboration beyond their shared platform at the event.
Conversations at the event extended beyond microcredit to encompass topics like financial inclusion and artificial intelligence. Bilal Bin Saqib, Pakistan’s Minister of State, advocated for leveraging artificial intelligence and tokenization to enhance financial inclusion for the 1.3 billion unbanked adults globally. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, the director general of Nigeria’s National Information Technology Development Agency, emphasized the importance of inclusive AI governance.
Reflecting on the event as a Bangladeshi with diverse industry experience, the discussions resonated with the country’s pivotal role in the development discourse. The event underscored how an idea originating in Bangladesh five decades ago has become indispensable in global development dialogues.
The forward-looking nature of the discussions was particularly striking, prompting considerations for the upcoming 50 years and beyond. As a Bangladeshi, it was a poignant reminder of the valuable narratives and innovative ideas that can shape the future.
Md. Tajdin Hassan, the Chief Business Officer at the Daily Star and an IVLP alumni member of the U.S. State Department, shared his insights on the event.