On Thursday, April 30, 2026, the Department of Economics, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS), American International University-Bangladesh, AIUB, successfully organized a webinar titled “From Fossil Fuels to Renewables: Navigating the Energy Transition.” The event was held as part of the department’s continued commitment to promoting academic engagement on pressing global economic and environmental issues.

The webinar provided a comprehensive exploration of the global shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, addressing its environmental, economic, technological, and geopolitical dimensions. The discussion highlighted the urgency of combating climate change and reducing carbon emissions, while also emphasizing the opportunities created by renewable energy in terms of innovation, sustainable development, and long-term economic transformation. At the same time, it examined key challenges such as infrastructure limitations, policy coordination, investment requirements, and the need to ensure accessibility, affordability, and equity in the energy transition process.

The program began with the opening remarks delivered by Dr. Faria Sultana, Head of the Department of Economics, who emphasized the importance of engaging students in contemporary global debates and encouraged critical thinking on the evolving dynamics of energy and sustainability.

The session was graced by the Pro Vice Chancellor of AIUB, Prof. Dr. Md. Abdur Rahman, who delivered the welcoming remarks. He highlighted the academic significance of the webinar and stressed the importance of understanding global energy transitions in relation to sustainable development, economic stability, and future policy challenges.

The department was honored to host Professor João Victor Marques Cardoso, Professor and Researcher at FGV Energia, Getulio Vargas Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as the Resource Person. In his insightful presentation, he discussed the trilemma of energy security, equity, and sustainability in the energy dimension—and explained that energy transition should not be understood as a complete replacement of fossil fuels, but rather as an energy addition approach, where multiple energy sources coexist to ensure reliability and inclusive development.

He further elaborated on the geopolitical importance of energy, describing it as a major driver of international relations and global power dynamics. He explained how energy dependency often creates tensions in international trade and diplomacy, influencing political alliances and economic negotiations. He also highlighted the difficulties involved in managing an effective energy mix, particularly in balancing national interests, ensuring energy security, and addressing issues of power asymmetry and geopolitical “power play” among nations. His discussion provided participants with a deeper understanding of how energy systems are closely intertwined with global politics and international cooperation.

The webinar concluded with a formal vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Faria Sultana, who expressed sincere appreciation to the Resource Person for his insightful and thought-provoking lecture. She also thanked the Pro Vice Chancellor for his presence and guidance, and acknowledged the efforts of the faculty members, and students in making the session a successful academic initiative.

Overall, the webinar served as a valuable platform for knowledge exchange, significantly enhancing participants’ understanding of global energy transition, sustainability challenges, and the geopolitical complexities shaping the future of energy systems.