Addis ababa: Food Adviser Ali Imam Majumder has called upon the global community to move towards a sustainable food system, confirming Bangladesh’s readiness to work for ensuring a better food future for all. ‘The world in unison should move ahead for a transformation towards an inclusive, resilient, healthy and sustainable food system,’ he said while addressing the UN Food System (UNFSS+4) Summit in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Majumder emphasized the importance of providing technical assistance to developing countries to make the global food system sustainable and advocated for creating a multi-stakeholder platform to coordinate national food system transformation. He reiterated Bangladesh’s commitment to collaborating with global partners to build a better food future for everyone.
Majumder highlighted the significant strides Bangladesh has made over the past few decades in food production, nutrition, and poverty reduction. He noted that the country has transitioned from a food deficit nation to being self-sufficient in rice production. Additionally, Bangladesh has implemented necessary changes in its production system to achieve self-sufficiency in fisheries, vegetables, and livestock.
Despite these advancements, Majumder acknowledged that Bangladesh faces new and complex challenges. He identified climate change, price instability, land degradation, water scarcity, and growing inequality as direct threats to the country’s food system. Moreover, urbanization, unemployment, and malnutrition remain persistent concerns.
The Adviser stressed the importance of food security in addressing malnutrition and highlighted the need for women’s empowerment, equitable access to food for vulnerable populations, and social protection measures, such as school feeding programs.