Dhaka has witnessed the inauguration of a pioneering initiative aimed at elevating Bangladeshi women’s global visibility and leadership through the launch of the ‘Miss Bangladesh Impact Forum 2025’. The event, held at Le Méridien Dhaka on July 15, was formally announced by Meghna Alam, Chairperson of the Miss Bangladesh Foundation. This year’s forum builds on the legacy of last year’s national representation in global beauty and advocacy platforms, expanding the initiative into a full-fledged climate and leadership-based platform tied to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Women aged 18–26 who are unmarried, responsible citizens, environmentally conscious, and familiar with global cultures can begin applying online via www.missbangladesh.com starting July 17. After the initial screening, 100 applicants will be invited to a live audition on September 26 at Le Méridien Dhaka.
From those auditions, 20 finalists will be selected for a one-month intensive fellowship focused on advocacy and leadership. The fellowship will include training in pageantry, public speaking, entrepreneurship, reproductive and mental health, and physical fitness. The final winner will be crowned “Miss Bangladesh Earth” and will go on to represent the nation at the prestigious 25th Miss Earth competition in the Philippines.
Last year, the Miss Bangladesh Beauty Present 2024 initiative enabled 10 Bangladeshi women to represent the country across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. One finalist also participated in the Miss Earth competition, which aligned with global discussions on climate justice and youth engagement. With the launch of the Impact Forum, the initiative has grown into a global diplomatic and leadership platform grounded in three core SDG areas: Climate Action (SDG 13), Gender Equality (SDG 5), and Global Partnerships (SDG 17).
The forum launch was attended by a diverse group of speakers and guests, including SDG Coordinator Dr. Tasin Afrin Diana, international legal advisor Tahreen Zerin, HerNet TV CEO Alisha Pradhan, BRAC University Assistant Professor Nasreen Siraj Annie (PhD), Le Méridien GM Konstantinos S. Gavriel, celebrated singer Mehreen, and Kateryna Don, co-founder and creative director of Cholpori.
During the event, Alisha Pradhan, CEO of HerNet TV and a tireless advocate for gender equality, delivered a passionate address on women’s empowerment. She stated, “True empowerment means more than visibility—it means voice, agency, and action. In a world where climate disasters, conflict, and inequality disproportionately affect women, platforms like the Miss Bangladesh Impact Forum are not just beauty contests; they are battlegrounds for justice and transformation. We must continue to invest in young women, not just to inspire but to ignite change. Gender equality is not a charity—it’s a necessity for peace, progress, and sustainability.”
She emphasized the need for systemic change and urged stakeholders—government bodies, NGOs, media, and the private sector—to back such initiatives with real investment, not just applause.
Forum Chair Meghna Alam echoed this sentiment, describing the forum as “an answer to silence, stigma, and systemic barriers. We are uniting the nation, protecting the planet, and creating future leaders. Bangladesh seeks not sympathy but respect and partnership. We call for solidarity.”
The forum will continue with further engagements including press conferences that position participants as influential social ambassadors, discussions on climate justice and youth leadership, recognition ceremonies involving journalists, diplomats, and NGOs, and dialogues with UN missions and embassies.
The Miss Bangladesh Impact Forum aspires to become Asia’s first SDG-linked, climate-centered leadership model through beauty and advocacy. By centering its core on climate diplomacy, gender equity, and global engagement, it represents a transformative step in redefining women’s roles not just in beauty but in shaping the future of the nation and the world.