National Dialogue on Food Systems Transformation Held in Dhaka

Dhaka, Dec 19 (V7N) –The Ministry of Food, in collaboration with the World Food Programme (WFP), hosted a National Dialogue for Food Systems Transformation in Dhaka on Thursday, underscoring Bangladesh’s commitment to advancing sustainable and equitable food systems.

Organized in partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), and other development partners, the event focused on integrating innovative and climate-responsive solutions into the national agenda.

Participants from government bodies, academia, development organizations, civil society, and the private sector explored five thematic action areas for transformation: "Nourish All People," "Nature-Based Solutions," "Equitable Livelihoods, Decent Work, and Empowered Communities," "Building Resilience to Vulnerabilities, Shocks, and Stresses," and "Means of Implementation – Governance."

Md Monirul Islam, Additional Secretary (SDG) from the Chief Adviser’s Office, emphasized the significance of these efforts, stating, "Transformation towards sustainable, resilient, and equitable food systems is both a challenge and an opportunity. By focusing on nourishing people, advancing nature-based solutions, and fostering resilience, we can achieve environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable food systems."

The dialogue outcomes will contribute to updating Bangladesh’s National Food Systems Pathways, ensuring alignment with the country’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) 3.0 and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs). The pathways aim to address hunger, malnutrition, climate change, and biodiversity loss while fostering multi-stakeholder collaboration.

Dom Scalpelli, WFP’s Country Director for Bangladesh, emphasized the need for scaled-up implementation of transformative solutions, highlighting the importance of multi-sectoral partnerships to achieve zero hunger and poverty eradication.

This initiative builds on Bangladesh’s leadership in global food systems transformation, showcased during the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit and the UNFSS+2 Stocktaking Moment in July 2023. Supported by Denmark through the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, the event reinforces the nation’s efforts to align national policies with local plans.

Notable attendees included Mahbubur Rahman, Research Director of the FPMU; Gwyn Lewis, UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh; Dr. Valantine Achancho, Country Director of IFAD; Dr. Rudaba Khondker, Country Director of GAIN; and Dr. Jiaoqun Shi, FAO Representative.