It is truly an honor and privilege to address this gathering of such an inspiring group of global thinkers and decision-makers at the Nikkei Forum: 30th Future of Asia. Nikkei Forum has, over the years, become a guiding light of dialogue, vision, and resolve for Asia’s future. I thank Mr. Tsuyoshi Hasebe, President and CEO of Nikkei Inc., for inviting me to speak at this prestigious forum.
Standing here on Thursday (29 May, 2025) brings back some special memories to me. Twenty years ago, in 2004, Nikkei honored me with the Asia Prize. That was an extremely meaningful moment in my life. Since then, I have always felt a personal connection with Japan. Over the years, I have been to Japan many times. I have worked with Japanese universities, met young people, and shared ideas. I am deeply moved by how warmly the people of Japan have embraced my idea of social business and microcredit.
As we gather here today to reflect on the theme, “Asian Challenges in Turbulent World,” I must say that the world is getting increasingly turbulent. We are passing a time of great uncertainty. We are witnessing a world where peace is fragile, tensions are growing, and cooperation is not always guaranteed. Conflicts are erupting in regions in Asia and beyond with peace becoming elusive. Wars and man-made conflicts are destroying the lives and livelihood of thousands in Ukraine, Gaza, and in the countries in south and southeast Asia. In our neighboring country Myanmar, civil war has taken a brutal turn, and the recent earthquake has pushed an already deep humanitarian crisis into greater darkness. Very recently, our two neighbors have fought a short but expensive war. Regrettably, we are spending billions in fighting wars leaving millions of our people starving or struggling for basic needs. I thank the leaders of the two countries for agreeing to a ceasefire, and hope for continued peace, stability, and peaceful coexistence in South Asia.
Moreover, millions around the world are being displaced by climate change. Technological advances promise much, yet raise new ethical dilemmas. The rise of trade restrictions continues to challenge the very foundation of the free trade system. Economic inequalities are widening, often within societies as much as between them. Global trust is at risk. Trust is declining between nations, within societies, and even between citizens and institutions. In recent times, we witnessed such divisions, discontent, and instability in Bangladesh, Republic of Korea that led to regime changes.
In Bangladesh, we went through a transformational change by a student led mass uprising last year and consequently my government took over. We are working hard to fulfill the dreams and aspiration of our people, to ensure justice, equality, freedom, and dignity of people, and prepare for a free, fair, credible general election aiming at smooth transition to democracy. We believe, this is a chance to correct the wrongs, build new institutions, and realize the dream of a fairer society. Despite multiple domestic challenges, Bangladesh is playing its role, contributing to global peace and security through its participation in UN peacekeeping and peacebuilding missions, and hosting more than a million Rohingyas fleeing persecution in their homeland in Myanmar purely on humanitarian ground.
Asia, home to more than half of humanity, sits at the epicenter of this uncertainty. It is also at the center of possibility at the same time. The challenges we face are formidable, and so is our collective strength. In this reality, I believe Asia has an opportunity – perhaps even a responsibility – to show a different path. A path of peace, of dialogue, of inclusive growth. Not just growth in numbers, but growth in people’s well-being, in trust, in hope.
We are not powerless in the face of these challenges. In fact, we are at a turning point in history. The choices we make today will decide what kind of world we leave for our children and grandchildren. That is why we must come together – not just to discuss problems, but to shape solutions. Solutions that are inclusive, fair, and rooted in our shared humanity.
I often say: ‘Making money is happiness. But making people happy is super happiness.’ We need to shift our focus – from individual profits to collective wellbeing. From short-term gain to long-term vision.
In my own journey—from starting Grameen Bank with small loans to poor women in villages, to spreading social business ideas across the world – I have learned one thing very clearly: people are not born to suffer. People are born with limitless potential. We just need to give them the right opportunities.
This is where I present my simple but bold vision – Three Zeros: Zero Poverty, Zero Unemployment, Zero Net Carbon Emissions. This is not a dream. It is a direction. A goal we can all work toward – governments, businesses, universities, and individuals.
To get there, we need a new kind of economy. One that is built not only on competition, but on compassion. Not just on consumption, but on care. This is where social business comes in – a business that solves problems, not just makes profits.
As we look to the future, I believe, Asian nations can work together even more closely to address shared challenges and unlock new opportunities for prosperity. We need to build a clear path toward a shared future and shared prosperity. To this end, we must:
First, Convert Asia’s interdependence into cooperation. Asia’s diversity—of economies, cultures, and political systems—is both its strength and its test. Our fates are increasingly intertwined. A supply chain disruption in one country ripples across borders. Environmental degradation in one part of Asia affects rainfall patterns in another. Political instability in one region impacts global energy and trade flows. Our job is to convert this interdependency into cooperation, not conflict; to invest in shared prosperity, not zero-sum rivalries.
Second, Forge robust economic and technical cooperation. Asia needs a stronger and sustainable way to finance its development. Regional development banks and financial institutions should take the lead in funding our growing needs. Asia is still one of the least connected regions in terms of trade. This lack of integration holds back investment and business opportunities. We must act now to improve trade partnerships across the region. Asia should build a strong technology ecosystem—one that is inclusive, fair, and sustainable.
Third, Promote inclusion, empowerment, and sustainability. We must not forget the billions who still live on the margins—disconnected from opportunity, vulnerable to shocks. My life’s work has shown that poverty is not created by the poor. It is created by the system. We must redesign that system. The world we inherited was built on assumptions of trickle-down economics, centralized control, and wealth maximization. We need to build a new architecture —one that promotes inclusion, empowerment, and sustainability at every level. This is where Asia can lead.
Fourth, Transform lives through investment in people. Let us invest not just in infrastructure and industrialization, but in people—through education, health, social business, and digital access. Let us embrace the idea that profit and purpose can coexist—and that social business can transform lives where traditional markets and governments fall short.
Fifth, Pursue Green Transition. Asia is both a victim and contributor to climate change. Rising seas threaten Bangladesh and the Pacific Islands. Glaciers in the Himalayas are melting, endangering freshwater for billions. We need a Pan-Asian Green Transition—driven by youth, entrepreneurs, and communities. Let us support renewable energy cooperatives, climate-smart agriculture, and circular economies. Let us create platforms that allow grassroots innovators to scale across borders.
Sixth, Tap the potentials of youth and shift from job seekers to job creators. Half of Asia’s population is under 30, who are Asia’s greatest strengths. Their creativity and energy should be at the center of our efforts. Our youth are ready—but they need the tools, trust, and freedom to shape their own futures. Social business, digital platforms, and microfinance can unleash a new wave of grassroots-led innovation. I always encourage young people: Do not wait to find a job. Create one. Do not just seek a paycheck. Build something that solves a problem. Be a job creator, not just a job seeker.
Finally, in a turbulent world, people’s empowerment and grassroot leadership matters more than ever. Asia must offer not just economic strength, but a new moral compass—one that champions peace over power, cooperation over competition, sustainability over short-term gain. We must move from wealth concentration to wealth distribution, from capitalism for profit to capitalism with purpose. In my country Bangladesh, we have seen how social business has uplifted millions. Let that be a lesson: when people are given dignity, trust, and a chance—they rise. Not just as workers, but as change-makers.
This Forum – The Future of Asia – is a platform of hope. Nikkei has created a space where dialogue leads to solutions, and where trust is not just a word, but a goal we work toward together. The future of Asia is not just about economics or geopolitics. It is about people. It is about ideas. And it is about courage.
Let us not be daunted by the turbulence around us. Rather see it as a call—to rethink, to rebuild, and to rise together. Let us be guided not by fear, but by possibility—not by power, but by purpose. Let us have the courage to imagine a better world. Let us trust one another. Let us cooperate not because we have to but because we want to.
