Demand for Sustainable Economic Transformation through Renewable Energy SecurityThe second edition of the Renewable Energy Fest 2026 concluded today, Wednesday (28 October), with firm demands for ensuring just transition-focused energy policy and governance, scaling up investment in renewable energy, prioritising innovation, technology and infrastructure development, and guaranteeing social and environmental safeguards throughout the energy transition.Held under the theme ‘Towards a Just, Inclusive and Green Energy Transition’, the three-day festival was organised for the second time at the Central Field of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET). The event was jointly organised by ActionAid Bangladesh, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Just Energy Transition Network Bangladesh (JETnet-BD), and BUET’s Institute of Energy and Sustainable Development (IESD).The festival concluded with the adoption of a 12-Point Declaration. The Declaration calls for enacting a dedicated Renewable Energy Act, expanding solar deployment and developing agrivoltaics, modernising the national grid through smart infrastructure and battery storage, and mobilising green finance through concessional loans, green bonds and public-private partnerships. It also emphasises strengthening domestic manufacturing capacity, developing youth skills and creating green jobs, and reducing carbon emissions across key industrial sectors.Beyond technology and financing, the Declaration places social equity and accountability at the centre. It demands a just, gender-responsive and community-led energy transition, ensuring meaningful participation of women, Indigenous Peoples, workers and marginalised communities. It further calls for transparency and accountability in climate finance, independent environmental and social monitoring, establishing worker protection frameworks, and strengthening regional cooperation across South Asia alongside Bangladesh–Australia technology transfer partnerships.On the final day, visitors explored the Innovation and Technology Fair from the morning, with domestic innovators showcasing cutting-edge renewable energy technologies and ideas alongside commercially available products and services from the private sector.The closing morning featured high-level parallel dialogues and plenary sessions examining national and regional contexts, with experts from South and Southeast Asia sharing experiences from their own countries and drawing lessons for Bangladesh's renewable energy trajectory.A youth-led dialogue titled ‘From Commitment to Community: Advancing a Just Energy Transition through Bangladesh NDC 3.0’, moderated by Shayla Shabnam Richi, called for stronger measures to reduce air pollution and dust, wider use of innovative solutions such as solar-powered irrigation and IoT technology, and the development of an effective roadmap within the next 12 months for youth skill development, green entrepreneurship and youth engagement in the green transition.A panel discussion on ‘Renewable Energy Finance and Investment in Bangladesh’, moderated by Kazi Morshad Alam, Head of Programme and Engagement at ActionAid Bangladesh, featured a keynote by Zakir Hossain Khan, Executive Director of Change Initiative. Panellists included Tanzina Dilshad, representative of the European Union in Bangladesh; Nure Alam, CEO, Greener Garments Initiative (GGI); and A K M Nurun Nabi, Director of the Sustainable Finance Department, Bangladesh Bank.The discussion highlighted the need for national policy frameworks and action plans for renewable energy infrastructure, effective tariff structures, public-private partnerships, and coordinated engagement between experts and policymakers. It also stressed solar-powered irrigation expansion, research financing, building domestic technical capacity, and knowledge and technology transfer.Three further panel discussions were held during the day on ‘Renewable Energy Innovation, Technology and Infrastructure’; ‘Social-Environmental Safeguards and Sustainability of Renewable Energy’; and ‘Energy Policy and Governance for a Just Transition’. These sessions called for strengthening domestic capacity to advance renewable energy security, fostering joint coordination among researchers, academics, young entrepreneurs and relevant institutions, and examining how government policies including specific solar panel installation ordinances can be framed through a just energy lens.The day also featured a captivating puppet theatre performance by Kaktarua Puppet Theatre, which brought to life stories of a just energy future, spotlighting the opportunities, potential and benefits of renewable energy in Bangladesh.In recognition of outstanding contributions to the renewable energy sector, awards were presented to innovators, young leaders and partner organisations. First prize went to the Felite Project, second to Carbon Credit BD Project, and third to IUB Formula-E Project. Recipients received certificates of recognition and seed funding. The best three academic posters were awarded to students from IUB, BUET and East West University.The closing ceremony was presided over by Chief Guest Jahrat Adib Chowdhury, Member of Parliament and Chairperson of the Standing Committee on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Special Guest Ibrahim Khalil Al-Zayad, Board Chair of ActionAid International Bangladesh Society (AAIBS), also addressed the gathering. A thanks were delivered by Professor M A A Shoukat Choudhury of BUET and Abul Kalam Azad, Manager (Just Energy Transition) at ActionAid Bangladesh and Member Secretary of JETnet-BD. The closing remarks were delivered by Farah Kabir, Country Director, ActionAid Bangladesh.At this time as a guest also present were Dr. Benuka Ferdousi of the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS), Kudrat-e-Khuda of Poribesh Suraksha Mancha, and Shabbir Rahman, Media and Communications Manager, ActionAid Bangladesh, among others.Co-organisers of the second edition of the festival included Bangladesh Energy and Power Research Council (BEPRC), Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS), Bangladesh Solar and Renewable Energy Association (BSREA), Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Research (C3ER), Greenery Energy Solution Limited, Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA), Oxfam in Bangladesh and The Earth Society.