Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today said global trust is at risk now as the world is passing through a time of great uncertainty.
"Global trust is at risk. Trust is declining between nations, within societies, and even between citizens and institutions," he said while delivering his keynote speech at the inaugural session of the "30th Nikkei Forum: Future of Asia" at Imperial Hotel, Tokyo, reports BSS.
In his keynote speech with the theme "Asian Challenges in a Turbulent World", Yunus said the world was getting increasingly turbulent.
"We are passing through a time of great uncertainty. We are witnessing a world where peace is fragile, tensions are growing, and cooperation is not always guaranteed," he said.
He mentioned that conflicts are erupting in regions in Asia and beyond, with peace becoming elusive.
Wars and man-made conflicts are destroying the lives and livelihoods of thousands in Ukraine, Gaza, and in countries in South and Southeast Asia, Yunus said.
"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," he said.
"Very recently, our two neighbours 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."
The chief adviser thanked leaders of the two countries for agreeing to a ceasefire and hoped for continued peace, stability, and peaceful coexistence in South Asia.
He said millions around the world are being displaced by climate change, while 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, he said, adding that economic inequalities are widening, often within societies as much as between them.
"In recent times, we witnessed such divisions, discontent, and instability in Bangladesh and, Republic of Korea that led to regime changes," he said.
About Bangladesh's recent changes, Yunus said Bangladesh went through a transformational change by a student-led mass uprising last year, and consequently, his government took over.
"We are working hard to fulfil the dreams and aspirations of our people, to ensure justice, equality, freedom, and dignity of people, and prepare for a free, fair, credible general election, aiming at a smooth transition to democracy.
"We believe this is a chance to correct the wrongs, build new institutions, and realise the dream of a fairer society," he said.
Despite multiple domestic challenges, the chief adviser said Bangladesh is playing its role in contributing to global peace and security through its participation in UN peacekeeping and peacebuilding missions, and hosting more than a million Rohingya refugees fleeing persecution in their homeland in Myanmar, purely on humanitarian grounds.
He said Asia, home to more than half of humanity, sits at the epicenter of this uncertainty, and it is also at the centre 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," he added.
"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."
Yunus mentioned that he often says, "making money is happiness, but making people happy is super happiness".
"We need to shift our focus from individual profit to collective wellbeing. From short-term gain to long-term vision."
He said in his own journey — from starting Grameen Bank with small loans to poor women in villages, to spreading social business ideas across the world — he 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," he added.
Presenting his theory of Three Zeros: Zero Poverty, Zero Unemployment, Zero Net Carbon Emissions, the chief adviser said this is not a dream but a direction.
"A goal we can all work toward — governments, businesses, universities, and individuals," he said.
Stressing the need for a new kind of economy, Yunus said, "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."
About the Nikkei Forum, he said 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 they work toward together, Yunus said.
The future of Asia is not just about economics or geopolitics, but it is about people, ideas, and courage, he said.
"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," the chief adviser said.
He said the future of Asia is not written yet, and they will write it together.
The chief advisor stated Bangladesh and Japan can work together in rewriting Asia's destiny, even the world's destiny.
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