New Think Tank CNI Lunched to Prioritise National Interests

From left Nurul Huda Milo Chowdhury, Reita Rahman, Prof. Dilara Chowdhury and another speaker at the symposium held on 15 August 2025 at the National Press Club.

 DHAKA — A new independent civic and policy-strategy platform, Citizens for National Interests (CNI), was recently launched pledging to put the country's long-term strategic goals ahead of any partisan, institutional, or group agendas. Operating under the core philosophy of "National interest above all interests," the newly established think tank positions itself as a non-partisan, non-profit, and research-based entity designed to unite diverse sectors of civil society at a critical juncture in the nation’s history. 

During a formal launching symposium held at the National Press Club on August 15, 2026, Reita Rahman was officially named the President of CNI, while prominent human rights activist Nurul Huda Milu Chowdhury took charge as the platform's Secretary General. According to the official declaration charter released during the event, CNI aims to serve as a bridge connecting knowledge, citizenship, strategic thinking, and public policy. The organisers emphasised that the platform is neither a political party nor an alternative government, meaning it has not been established to support or oppose any existing political forces, but rather to foster objective, factual, and constructive reviews of pressing national issues.

The launch event featured a scholarly debate, with Dr. Sajjad Hossain M Jashimuddin delivering the keynote address, while renowned political scientist Prof. Dilara Chowdhury served as the main discussant. In its foundational charter, CNI identified a multi-dimensional framework essential for building a robust and resilient state, explicitly stating that it aims to complement, rather than compete with, the specialized expertise of established Bangladeshi organizations. To achieve a holistic national framework, CNI outlines its strategy by integrating core institutional strengths across six critical domains. This includes drawing inspiration from the public-sphere focus of organizations like the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) for evidence-based research, and emphasizing citizen engagement, accountability, and good governance akin to the principles of Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (SHUJAN). Furthermore, the platform integrates strategic security and geopolitics matching the analytical depth of the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS), alongside professional excellence in economic modeling and pragmatic policy output similar to the work done by the Policy Research Institute (PRI). 

The timing of the platform's launch reflects a heightened sense of urgency regarding the nation’s future trajectory. CNI noted in its charter that Bangladesh today stands at a crucial crossroads of development, where a convergence of rapid economic transformations, fluid political landscapes, technological revolutions, climate vulnerabilities, maritime developments, and shifting global geopolitical realities presents both extraordinary opportunities and unique challenges. 

The platform's leadership stressed that public choices made today will carry profound consequences that outlast standard political cycles, noting that the decisions made now will impact not just the next government or the next decade, but the Bangladesh of future generations. By engaging a broad spectrum of stakeholders—including youth, researchers, educators, professionals, entrepreneurs, and diplomats—CNI aims to build a sustainable, data-driven framework that helps steer the nation through its evolving domestic and international challenges. - GreenWatch Desk