Rome: Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today presented six transformative proposals aimed at overhauling the global food and economic systems to eradicate hunger. He emphasized that hunger stems not from scarcity but from the failure of the current economic framework.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Professor Yunus delivered a keynote speech during the World Food Forum flagship event at the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) Headquarters. His address underscored the necessity of systemic change, pointing out that the existing economic system prioritizes profit over addressing global hunger.
Professor Yunus's six-point proposal includes halting wars and initiating dialogue to ensure food access in conflict zones, fulfilling SDG finance commitments, and taking climate action seriously. He advocated for the creation of regional food banks to stabilize supply chains and the support of local entrepreneurs, particularly among the youth, through finance and infrastructure.
He further suggested ending export bans to bolster food security and ensuring access to technology and innovation, especially for the Global South. Professor Yunus highlighted that despite sufficient food production, 673 million people went hungry in 2024 due to economic system failures.
He criticized the global expenditure on weapons, contrasting it with the inability to fund hunger eradication efforts. Professor Yunus called for a reimagining of the economic system, advocating for social business models that prioritize problem-solving over profit-making.
Professor Yunus also outlined his vision for a Three-Zero World, aiming for zero wealth concentration, zero unemployment, and zero net carbon emissions. He cited successful social businesses like Grameen Bank and Grameen Danone as examples of empowering communities.
Emphasizing the role of youth, he encouraged their empowerment as job creators rather than job seekers, and called for investment in youth-driven innovation and entrepreneurship. Professor Yunus reiterated Bangladesh's commitment to global cooperation and highlighted its success in food production and support for the Rohingya community.
He concluded by urging collective efforts to build a Three-Zero World, emphasizing imagination and innovation as key drivers for transforming global food systems and societies.