9 September
10:00 AM – 11:59 AM
Director of Regional Energy Trade, USAID Bangladesh Advancing Development and Growth through Energy (BADGE)
Mahmud comes with over 34 years of experience in the Power Sector under the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) and Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission. He has experience on power plant operation & maintenance, generation planning, project planning, and regulatory issues. He also held the position of Chief Engineer (I/C) of Chittagong Power Station, and was also the director of System Planning and project planning of BPDB. Mr. Mahmud was also a technical Member of the feasibility study team of different studies including the Bharampur-Bheramara 400 KV Double Circuit inter-connection line to facilitate CBET with India which was successfully implemented in 2013. He retired from Government service in February 2020 as an Additional Chief Engineer. Mr. Mahmud is a Graduate Engineer in the field of EEE and now serving under Tetra Tech with the BADGE Program as a Director of Regional Energy Trade.
Chief of Party, USAID Bangladesh Advancing Development and Growth through Energy (BADGE)
Abdel Ed Elrahal has over 30 years of international experience managing large, complex energy sector projects in developing and post-conflict environments. He has implemented energy policy reforms and regulations, built institutional capacity, led transformational change, maximized revenue collection through improved processes, and facilitated energy efficiency gains. He has served as Chief of Party (COP) for projects in Afghanistan and currently serves as both the COP and Electricity Component Team Leader for the Libya Public Finance Project (LPFM), where he recruited and deployed local and regional experts to develop and implement a pathbreaking roadmap to alleviate recurring power outages and position Libya’s electricity sector for financial independence. Mr. Elrahal is leading initiatives to restructure Libya’s electricity sector and state-owned utility, and engaging the private sector in providing electricity services, including renewable energy projects. His current role includes leading a multi-donor group, consisting of the United Nations Special Mission to Libya, the United Nations Environmental Programme, and the World Bank to increase Libya’s power supply and develop fair and equitable load-shedding and load management programs. Prior to his career supporting international energy systems reform, Mr. Elrahal held leadership positions at Duke Energy Corporation, one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, where he contributed to a restructuring process that resulted in Duke’s recognition as a best-in-class electric utility. In-country Experience: Afghanistan, Egypt, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, United Arab Emirates
Senior Secretary, Power Division
Md. Habibur Rahman took up the role of Secretary in the Power Division on November 12, 2020, following his position as Additional Secretary (Budget 1) in the Finance Division under the Ministry of Finance. A member of the 10th batch of the Bangladesh Civil Service (Administration) cadre since 1991, he has had a distinguished career. Beginning as an Assistant Commissioner in Rajshahi's Divisional Commissioner Office, he progressed through roles such as Assistant Commissioner in Natore's Deputy Commissioner Office and in the Refugee, Relief and Repatriation Commission at Cox’s Bazar.
His impactful career spans over 15 years in the Finance Division, marked by his instrumental involvement in transitioning from traditional budget methods to the Medium-Term Budget Framework (MTBF). His significant positions included Deputy Secretary (Budget-1), Joint Secretary (Budget-1), and eventually Additional Secretary (Budget-1), where he played a central role in national budget preparation for more than a decade.
Rahman's educational background is impressive, with BSc. and MSc. degrees in Applied Physics and Electronics from the University of Dhaka, along with a Master’s in Economic Development Policy and Research from the University of Birmingham, UK. He augmented his expertise through training in Government Budget Management, Public Financial Management, and related areas in countries like India, Singapore, USA, UK, and New Zealand.
Recognized for his exceptional contributions, he was honored with the esteemed 2017 Public Administration Award. Moreover, he actively engaged in teaching Public Financial Management at various institutes, contributing to the development of proficient Civil Servants in the realm of Public Finance.
Director of Economic Growth Office, USAID Bangladesh
Dr. Muhammad Khan serves as the Director of the Office of Economic Growth, USAID/Bangladesh and lead a portfolio of Environment and Climate Change, Energy, and Agriculture sectors. He is also part of the Senior Management Team of USAID/Bangladesh. Dr. Khan has over 37 years of academic and professional experience in infrastructure, agriculture, water resources and environment, energy, disaster and climate resilience, and institutional capacity building. Before joining USAID/Bangladesh, Dr. Khan served in Indonesia, Pakistan, the Philippines, and the Pacific Island countries and Nepal. Dr. Khan led the U.S. Government’s flagship 2004 Asian tsunami reconstruction response in Indonesia, totaling $400 million. He also managed USAID-funded environmental and youth development programs, the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), education, and community-based water/sanitation programs.
Prior to joining USAID, Dr. Khan worked in academia and the private sector. He holds a Bachelor's, two Masters, and a Ph.D. in Civil/Water Resources and Environmental Engineering from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, the Imperial College U.K., and the University of California, U.S.
Chairman, Bangladesh Power Development Board
Engr. Md Mahbubur Rahman took over the charge as Chairman of Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) today (31 January, 2022). He is the 38th Chairman of his organization. Before joining as Chairman, he was the Member (Company Affairs) of BPDB.
Engr. Md Mahbubur Rahman was born in Shariatpur district on 1 September, 1963. Mr. Md Mahbubur Rahman obtained B.Sc. Engineering (Civil) degree from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) in 1986. He did his M.Sc. Engineering (Hydro-Power) degree from the Norwegian University of Engineering & Technology, Norway in 1995 with a full scholarship from the Norwegian government. He later obtained an MBA degree from Bangladesh. Besides, he also completed various professional courses from Oxford University of the United Kingdom, Kochi University of Japan and Melbourne Institute of Technology of Australia.
Mr. Md Mahbubur Rahman joined Siddhirganj Power Station of Bangladesh Power Development Board on September 1, 1986 as an Assistant Engineer. Later he worked as Sub-Divisional Engineer and Executive Engineer at Siddhirganj 210 MW Thermal Power Station Construction Project, as Director IPP Cell-1, Director IPP Cell-3 and as Chief Engineer Private Generation. Later he also served as Member (Distribution) of BPDB.
Engr. Md Mahbubur Rahman visited various countries including USA, Russia, Japan, United Kingdom, Australia, Germany and Switzerland for training and professional purposes during his long career.
Joint Secretary, Power Division, Ministry of Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources, Bangladesh
Md. Raihan Akhtar, presently serves as the Joint Secretary at the Power Division, Ministry of Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources in Bangladesh. He has cultivated an impressive academic and professional profile over the years. With a solid foundation in engineering, he earned his BSc in Electrical and Electronics from KUET, Bangladesh, in 1997. Demonstrating a commitment to furthering his knowledge, he ventured abroad, achieving an MSc in Public Economics Management and Finance from the University of Birmingham, UK, in 2008, and an MA in Governance and Development from BRAC University, Bangladesh, in 2007. His pursuit of academic excellence continued with the completion of an MBA in Management from Dhaka University in 2009.
MD Raihan Akhtar's career journey has been marked by a dedication to public service. His contributions to the field of energy and resource management have been invaluable, shaping policies and initiatives that have a far-reaching impact on his nation's development. With a diverse educational background and a wealth of experience, MD Raihan Akhtar continues to make significant strides in the realms of governance and sustainable development, embodying a commitment to excellence and service to his country.
Energy Team Leader, USAID Bangladesh
Shayan Shafi is a passionate and skilled energy practitioner with around 15 years of experience in the clean energy sector of Bangladesh. As the Energy Team Leader, he leads and manages USAID's energy programs in Bangladesh. He also serves as the Senior Energy Advisor to the U.S. Government’s Senior Management Team in Embassy Dhaka, including the USAID Mission Director, the U.S. Ambassador and other USAID and Embassy personnel, on all matters pertaining to energy sector programs, strategies, and priorities in Bangladesh. He formulates the Mission’s energy strategies and leads the design and implementation of the Mission’s energy projects. He frequently represents the USAID Mission in dialogues with the Government of Bangladesh, other donors, Non-Governmental Organizations and Civil Society Organizations on topics including clean and renewable energy solutions, energy access, energy security, energy regulatory reform, cross-border electricity trade, clean energy procurement and energy market development.
Shayan is a Mechanical Engineer by training and has two master’s degrees - one in Renewable Energy Technology, and the other in Business Administration in Finance. He is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).
Principal Energy Specialist, Asian Development Bank
In August 2011, Kelly joined the Asian Development Bank, an international finance institution owned and operated by multiple sovereigns, founded by the United States and Japan. There her primary focus has been non-sovereign and sovereign energy sector projects, programs, and sector development strategies. Her current interest is upstream natural gas and renewables. Kelly is a master degree economist, juris doctorate lawyer, and Harvard University Kennedy School MPA Alum. She is currently leading Central West Energy programs and projects at the Asian Development Bank. Kelly has worked in power and natural gas for more than 25 years. She has extensive experience in power, and gas market regulation and reform, energy efficiency, climate mitigation, and renewable energy. She has worked at Washington Gas, BGE, U.S. Department of Energy (FERC), the Integrated Energy Resources Planning Division of the Maryland Public Service Commission, the merger and acquisition group of Winthrop, Stimson, Putnam & Roberts (currently – Pillsbury, Winthrop, Shaw Pittman LLP), and the energy law boutique firm Bruder, Gentle & Marcoux (absorbed by Shciff Harden LLP). She served in Bangladesh for almost 6 years as head of USAID’s program - Improved Capacity for Energy Access. With focus on regulation and rural electrification, she engaged in capacity building, supported the formulation of essential energy policy, and designed training programs for effective power sector governance processes.
Lead Energy Specialist, South Asia Region, World Bank
Waleed is the Cluster Leader of the World Bank Energy Advisory Services for the GCC and regional energy trade program for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. He oversees teams to develop policy solutions and investments needed to address evolving energy sector challenges facing the transition to sustainable energy systems. With over twenty years of professional work experience, of which about ten years in the electric utility industry, Mr. Alsuraih handled power sector development and operations, as well as managerial responsibilities including tasks in utility restructuring as part of wider power sector reform projects.
He has been working with governments, utilities, and relevant stakeholders across the MENA region to strengthen the role of the power sector in economic growth and social prosperity. Some of his recent tasks are leading projects to strengthen power sector sustainability by unlocking private sector investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and energy systems modernization. He is currently leading the World Bank Initiative on Pan-Arab Regional Energy Trade Platform which supports the development electricity and gas trade markets within the region, and beyond. He has led and contributed to different energy sector development reports. Mr. Alsuraih holds a B.Sc. in Power Engineering and MBA from Southampton School of Management in the UK.
Climate and Environment Adviser, British High Commission
Convenor, Climate Parliament Bangladesh
Nahim Razzaq is a Bangladeshi politician and member of the Bangladesh Awami League. He has been elected for the consecutive third time as a member of parliament at the Bangladesh Parliament from Shariatpur-3 constituency. Nahim is currently a member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He received the Junior Chamber International- Top 10 Outstanding Youth Person (TOYP) award in 2015 in Bangladesh.
He has served in the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief and Ministry of Youth and Sports. Nahim is also an adviser of E-CAB (E-Commerce Association of Bangladesh). Nahim is also engaged in addressing climate change issues as the Convenor of Climate Parliament Bangladesh.
Deputy Chief of Party, USAID Bangladesh Advancing Development and Growth through Energy (BADGE)
Dr. Alam Mondal, Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP)– BADGE project, has more than 23 years of broad energy sector experience, including in energy security, policy, roadmaps development, regional energy trade, low-carbon development strategies, energy systems modeling, and sustainable energy future. As the DCOP of BADGE, Dr. Alam designs and implements programmatic activities focusing on advanced energy technologies, utility modernization, energy procurement, and regional energy trade. He has contributed to the development of integrated energy modeling frameworks in Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, Pakistan, Philippines, and United Arab Emirates.
Dr. Alam is an accomplished author who has published over 30 journal articles and two books. He is a senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), member of IEEE Power & Energy Society, International Association of Energy Economics (IAEE) and Association for Environmental Studies and Sciences (AESS).