Diplomatic Correspondent, UN: In a speech delivered at the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Friday (September 22, 2023), Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh emphasized the need for establishing regional food banks to address food challenges arising from various natural disasters and climate change-related issues.
Sheikh Hasina stated, “In light of the climate change-induced crises and their impact on food security, it is imperative that regional food banks are established in various parts of the world to ensure continuous access to essential food supplies.”
She further stressed the importance of research and investment in resilient crop production, saying, “In addition to preserving harvested crops, we need global investments in building climate-resilient crop varieties.
I am proposing the initiation of ‘food banks’ at the regional level as an urgent measure to tackle the situation. Collaboration in research for climate-resilient crops is essential.”
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also addressed the global challenges posed by rising food and energy prices, mentioning, “In recent years, global crises have escalated food, energy, and commodity prices. As an importing nation of energy and food, this has significantly impacted our foreign exchange reserves.”
She highlighted the commitment of Bangladesh to ensure food security for all its citizens, saying, “Despite these challenges, we have ensured food security for every individual.
We are providing essential rice and other commodities at subsidized rates to one crore (ten million) people with low incomes. We have implemented various initiatives to control price inflation.”
Sheikh Hasina praised the formation of the Global Crisis Response Group in 2022 by the United Nations and expressed gratitude for their efforts in finding multidimensional solutions to global food, energy, and economic crises.
She also acknowledged the role of this group in ensuring food procurement and supply chain stability.
The Prime Minister concluded her speech by highlighting Bangladesh’s resilience in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath, stating, “During the COVID-19 pandemic and in the post-pandemic period, we have taken rigorous economic and policy measures to ensure national economic stability and exchange rate control.”
Sheikh Hasina further mentioned, “We have increased investments in social safety net programs and provided targeted assistance to agriculture, small and medium industries, and other vulnerable sectors.
We have expanded social safety nets to include disadvantaged women, widows, the elderly, and differently-abled individuals, ensuring social and economic security for various marginalized groups.”
Sheikh Hasina proudly declared, “Approximately four crore (forty million) people now benefit from our social safety net programs, and we have allocated Tk 1,26,272 crores (approximately $12 billion) to the social safety net in the current fiscal year.
This year, we have also introduced a universal pension scheme, allowing any citizen aged 18 to 50 to receive pension benefits.”