Originally featured on Counterpoint, a weekly newspaper and online platform offering in-depth analysis of Bangladesh and global issues, this episode of J&J’s Fireside | Episode 3 reflects on a defining year of disruption, adaptation, and transition across the Global South.
Set against a backdrop of political change, economic uncertainty, and the passing of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, Episode 3 brings together macroeconomist Jyoti Rahman and Md. Rubaiyath Sarwar, Managing Director of Innovision Consulting, for a year-in-review conversation on what 2025 revealed and what 2026 may hold.
From Dhaka and Australia, the hosts unpack a central theme shaping economies and societies alike: the need to constantly pivot in an increasingly unstable global environment.
The episode explores how a series of global shocks are reshaping development pathways:
These dynamics highlight a key reality: Global South economies are navigating external shocks while managing internal structural vulnerabilities.
A core insight from the discussion is the tension between resilience and long-term growth.
Across countries, communities continue to adapt to shocks—economic, political, and social. However, without stability, sustained growth remains difficult.
The episode highlights:
While resilience enables survival, predictability and stability are essential for transformation.
A defining trend across 2025 has been the rise of youth-driven uprisings and political mobilization across multiple regions.
From South Asia to Africa, the discussion reflects on:
These developments signal a broader shift in how political change emerges—faster, less structured, and more reactive.
Despite global uncertainty, the episode highlights a growing momentum in South–South collaboration:
The discussion also reflects on a deeper historical reality:
Global South economies were interconnected long before modern global systems—and may be returning to those networks in new forms.
Drawing from global experiences, the episode outlines key considerations for Bangladesh:
The conversation underscores that policy timing and adaptability often matter more than perfect planning.
As the Global South enters another year of uncertainty, two parallel forces are expected to shape the trajectory ahead:
The episode concludes with a central proposition:
Sustainable progress in the Global South will depend on the ability to balance stability with continuous pivoting—managing shocks while building long-term resilience.
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