Bangladeshi Mapping Mentors Bound for Tokyo Google Summit

Five young digital contributors from Bangladesh are set to represent the country in Tokyo at ‘Connect Live Tokyo 2025,’ a flagship global event hosted by Google. These individuals—Md. Shafiul Bashar (Connect Forum Moderator), Mahbub Hasan, Shah Md. Sultan, Shakil Akhtar Khan, and Bishwajit Chakraborty—have been selected for their significant contributions to digital mapping via Google Maps. Joining them from abroad are Pavel Sarwar, Sumaiya Zafreen Chowdhury, and Trisha Trisu.

Scheduled to take place in Tokyo, Japan, on July 24–25, the event brings together over 50 seasoned map contributors from 19 countries. Considered the most prestigious global gathering for Google Maps contributors, the summit will include sessions where Google’s Maps team will introduce new features and technologies, and participants will have the opportunity to share their feedback directly.

Md. Shafiul Bashar, a Google Local Guide and Connect Forum Moderator, said, “The Local Guides Bangla Community is working to make Google Maps more user-friendly through accurate and localized mapping. The goal is to include key locations such as businesses, roads, hospitals, and educational institutions in line with global standards.”

Another Local Guide, Shah Md. Sultan, added, “Bangladesh’s contributions to Google Maps are not limited to numbers—they reflect tangible impact. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Bangladeshi Local Guides volunteered to serve the nation. Through the ‘Bangladesh Challenge Campaign,’ we developed nearly 1,000 certified mappers who reached even the remotest areas of the country.”

These representatives aspire to see Google Maps provide accurate representation of every region, business, and service institution in Bangladesh. Their broader vision is to help develop an accessible, data-rich, and regularly updated mapping system—similar to those in developed countries—that will benefit both local users and international tourists alike.