In a sign of Bangladesh's growing importance, Dhaka will host the regional conference of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in March, said Allan Dow, the Asia-Pacific's head of communications of the FAO Dhaka joined the FAO in 1973. 

The four-day conference, scheduled from 8 March to 11 March, will be held as a hybrid event at the InterContinental Dhaka, with some participants joining via videoconferencing, due to the ongoing Covid-19 situation. FAO is a specialized UN agency that leads global efforts to defeat hunger and increase nutrition and food security across the world. 

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will give a virtual address on 10 March in the 36th annual meeting of 46 member-FAO-Asia and Pacific grouping. On 10-11 March, Agriculture Minister Abdur Razzaque will preside over the conference. Qu Dongyu, the director-general of the FAO, is also expected to attend.

Senior ministers and officials from the regional countries will join the conference to discuss pressing issues in the region, such as the impact of Covid-19, the state of agriculture, natural resource management, food security, and nutrition. Members would also explore partnerships, innovation, and digital technologies to help improve food security in the region. 

(SAM)