The 1st RCASBC International Conference 2026, organized by the Hong Kong Research Center for Asian Studies-Bangladesh Center (RCASBC), in collaboration with the Department of International Relations, University of Chittagong, concluded successfully after a two-day academic programme held on 13 and 14 September 2026 at the University of Chittagong, Bangladesh.

Held under the theme “Rethinking Rule-Based Global Order: Middle and Small States in a Changing World,” the international conference brought together scholars, diplomats, practitioners, researchers and students to discuss the changing dynamics of the global order and the evolving challenges and opportunities facing middle and small states. The conference received 457 abstracts from 24 countries, representing more than 800 distinct authors and over 120 institutions, with nearly 200 research papers ultimately presented across six thematic sub-themes.

The conference began on 13 September with the opening ceremony. The opening session featured addresses by the Convener, Prof. Dr. Sujit Kumar Datta; Dean of the Faculty of Social Science Prof. Dr. Md. Enayet Ullah Patwary; Pro Vice Chancellor (Administration) Prof. Dr. Md. Safiqul Islam; Pro Vice Chancellor (Academic) Prof. Dr. Mohammed Al Amin, and Member Secretary Md. Niaz Morshed, among others.

Across the two days, five keynote sessions were held, featuring distinguished scholars, diplomats and practitioners from Bangladesh and abroad.

Keynote Session I

The first keynote session featured Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage, Former Navy Chief of the Sri Lankan Navy, and Dr. Purna Bahadur Karki, Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Institute of Global Studies, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies. The session was chaired by Prof. Dr. Md. Kamal Uddin, Former Pro Vice Chancellor (Administration), University of Chittagong, with Prof. Dr. Shahab Enam Khan, Professor, Department of International Relations, Jahangirnagar University, serving as the discussant.

Keynote Session II

The second keynote session featured Prof. Dr. Md. Faridul Alam, Professor, Department of International Relations, University of Chittagong, and Prof. Dr. Shahab Enam Khan, Professor, Department of International Relations, Jahangirnagar University. The session was chaired by Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage, Former Navy Chief, Sri Lankan Navy, while Prof. Dr. Md. Kamal Uddin, Former Pro Vice Chancellor (Administration), University of Chittagong, served as the discussant.

Keynote Session III

The third keynote session featured Ambassador M. Humayun Kabir, Former Ambassador of Bangladesh to the United States, Ambassador to Nepal, and High Commissioner to Australia and New Zealand, and Prof. Dr. Delwar Hossain, Professor, Department of International Relations, University of Dhaka. The session was chaired by Prof. Dr. Md. Abdul Mannan, Professor, Department of International Relations, University of Dhaka, with Prof. Dr. Md. Faridul Alam, Professor, Department of International Relations, University of Chittagong, serving as the discussant.

Keynote Session IV

The fourth keynote session featured Prof. Dr. Imtiaz A. Hussain, Professor, Independent University, Bangladesh, Prof. Dr. Md. Kamal Uddin, Former Pro Vice Chancellor (Administration), University of Chittagong, and Bartin Gomes, Country Head, Good Neighbours Bangladesh. The session was chaired by Prof. Dr. Nasir Uddin, Professor, Department of Anthropology, University of Chittagong, while Ambassador M. Humayun Kabir, Former Ambassador of Bangladesh to the United States, Ambassador to Nepal, and High Commissioner to Australia and New Zealand, served as the discussant.

Keynote Session V

The fifth and final keynote session featured Prof. Dr. Safiqul Islam, Pro Vice Chancellor (Administration), University of Chittagong, and Prof. Dr. Md. Abdul Mannan, Professor, Department of International Relations, University of Dhaka. The session was chaired by Prof. Dr. Delwar Hossain, Professor, Department of International Relations, University of Dhaka, with Prof. Dr. Nasir Uddin, Professor, Department of Anthropology, University of Chittagong, serving as the discussant.

Alongside the keynote sessions, the conference featured six thematic sub-themes, where nearly 200 research papers were presented by participants from different institutions and countries. The sessions generated extensive discussions on geopolitics, regional security, international order, environmental governance, maritime security, human security, Bangladesh's national interests, and the challenges confronting middle and small states in a rapidly changing world.

The conference concluded on 14 September with a closing ceremony attended by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Chittagong, Prof. Dr. Mohammad Al Forkan, and Pro Vice Chancellor (Academic) Prof. Dr. Mohammed Al Amin. A number of participants also shared their reflections and experiences from the conference, highlighting the academic value, diversity of participation, and significance of creating a platform for dialogue on contemporary international affairs.

The successful conclusion of the first RCASBC International Conference marks an important milestone for the Hong Kong Research Center for Asian Studies-Bangladesh Center (RCASBC), and the Department of International Relations, University of Chittagong, creating a new platform for international academic exchange and scholarly engagement.