Bangladesh elected as FAO Council member

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DHAKA, June 18, 2021 (BSS) – Bangladesh has been elected as a member of the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Council from the Asia Region for the term 2022-2024.

The election was held during the 42nd Session of the UN Agency on Thursday with the participation of 183 member states, said a press release here today.

Bangladesh with other Council Members will now lead the organization at both policy and executive level for three years.

The on-going 42nd Session of the FAO Conference, held on a virtual platform from the Headquarters of FAO in Rome, is being attended by an eight-member Bangladesh delegation led by agricultural minister Dr. Muhammad Abdur Razzaque.

The delegation also includes Agricultural Secretary Md. Mesbahul Islam and Bangladesh Ambassador and Permanent Representative to FAO Md. Shameem Ahsan while Bangladesh Embassy in Rome actively worked to obtain support in favour of Dhaka during the election.

Bangladesh became the council member when Dhaka is going to host the 36th Asia and the Pacific FAO Regional Conference (APRC) in March next year which is expected to be attended by ministerial delegates from 46 member countries of the region.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has agreed to inaugurate the conference which Bangladesh is going to host for the first time, said the release.

The FAO is the specialised agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger.