Bangladesh Brings Bold Breakthrough to Global Climate Olympiad in Sochi
The International Olympiad on Climate and Environment (IOCE 2025) is set to take place in Sochi, a city in Russia’s Krasnodar Krai near the Georgia border on the Black Sea coast, from September 13 to 20. For the first time, Bangladesh will be represented in this global competition.
The five-member Bangladesh team is showcasing an environmentally friendly solution that employs artificial intelligence to provide early warnings of wildfires. Led by Farhan Masud Tasin, a postgraduate student at BRAC University, the team also includes Mahdi Bin Ferdous (Vashantek Government College), Tasin Mohammad (BIAM Model School and College), Md. Nur Ahmad (Rajshahi Collegiate School), and Md. Ashiqur Rahman (Harimohan Government High School).
More than 20 countries will participate in the Olympiad’s week-long activities, which include theoretical exams, practical laboratory work, field operations, workshops, and the much-anticipated “Festival of Projects,” where each team will present its innovative, eco-friendly solutions.
The journey to the world stage has not been without challenges. Limited resources, lack of prior experience in international contests, and the burden of academic responsibilities all posed hurdles. Yet, with the support of teachers, mentors, and families, the team persevered. This resilience, they believe, embodies Bangladesh’s true strength — endurance and determination.
Bangladesh’s Project: AI-Based Wildfire Prediction System
The team’s pioneering project features an AI-driven wildfire prediction system powered by solar-enabled IoT sensors. The system can detect potential fire risks in real time, offering a sustainable, eco-friendly, and cost-effective alternative to conventional monitoring methods. It also reflects Bangladesh’s growing commitment to climate resilience and disaster preparedness.
Competition Phases
Bangladesh’s representatives will begin with theoretical examinations, both individually and as a team. They will then conduct fieldwork in a natural reserve, collecting environmental data to be analyzed and reported in laboratory conditions. Final scores and evaluations from all phases will determine the winning teams.
Reflecting on Bangladesh’s debut, team leader Farhan Masud Tasin said: “As the days in Sochi draw near, the excitement and anticipation in our country are rising. This participation is not just a milestone in education or science, but a declaration Bangladesh is making to the world: we are ready — to build a sustainable future, for ourselves and for the world. Beyond that, our presence here carries symbolic weight. Bangladesh has long been seen only as a victim of climate change. But this time, standing on the stage in Sochi, we will announce — we are not just sufferers of climate, we are partners in creating solutions.”
Alongside the competition, the Sirius Federal Territory and the Talent and Success Educational Foundation, with the support of Russia’s Ministry of Education, will host international dialogues on renewable energy, biodiversity conservation, waste management, and sustainable urban development. Bangladesh aims not only to learn from these exchanges but also to share its own experiences.
