Pakistan, Bangladesh discuss agrifood cooperation in Rome
Federal minister Rana Tanveer Hussain met two Bangladeshi ministers on the sidelines of a FAO conference to explore trade, research and climate adaptation.
Pakistan and Bangladesh have agreed to explore closer cooperation in agriculture, livestock, fisheries and climate adaptation after minister-level talks in Rome on the sidelines of a United Nations conference.
Federal Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain met Bangladesh’s Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Abdul Awal Mintoo and Minister of State for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku at the FAO Global Conference for Actions on One Health in Agrifood Systems.
The discussion focused on challenges shared by two agriculture-dependent countries, including climate change, emerging diseases and environmental pressures. Rana Tanveer Hussain said working together on animal, human and environmental health could strengthen food security, protect rural livelihoods and improve the resilience of farming communities.
The federal minister listed agricultural trade, research, mechanisation, livestock breed improvement and capacity building as areas with potential for expanded cooperation. He also pointed to institutional partnerships, technical exchanges and joint work in agricultural and veterinary sciences, and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to a relationship based on mutual respect, sovereign equality and shared development priorities.
Mintoo stressed coordinated action on climate and environmental challenges, and the value of exchanging knowledge and practical experience to improve climate resilience and sustainable agrifood systems. Tuku said fisheries and livestock are central to food security, nutrition and rural livelihoods, and underlined cooperation in livestock development, improved production systems, disease prevention, research and technical capacity building.
ARY News reported that the two sides also discussed climate-smart livestock production, improved feed and fodder systems, disease surveillance, antimicrobial resistance, food safety and value addition. Neither report mentioned a signed agreement from the Rome meeting.
ARY News also recalled that Pakistan had recently engaged with Saudi Arabia to increase agricultural and food exports to $3 billion over the next two years, after talks in Islamabad from August 26 to 28. The Pakistani delegation at those talks was led by Rana Tanveer Hussain, and the Saudi side by Environment, Water and Agriculture Minister Abdulrahman AlFadley.
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