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Tuesday, 14 October, 2025

Dr Yunus Vows to Institutionalise People’s Power Through February Election

Express Report
  14 Oct 2025, 02:15
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus delivers his speech at World Food Forum (WFF) in Rome on Monday.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Monday reaffirmed that the national election will be held in February, saying it will mark the institutionalisation of his government’s commitment to justice and people’s power.

Addressing the 2025 World Food Forum (WFF), Prof Yunus said the people of Bangladesh had “peacefully reclaimed their power” last year to restore democracy, peace, and human rights for all.

“It was our youth — young people full of courage and hope — who led that movement,” he said. “Their demand was simple: to return power to the people, and to build a society grounded in fairness, inclusion, and trust.”

Prof Yunus said those same young people are now actively engaged in rebuilding state institutions and shaping “a new Bangladesh that puts its people at the centre of governance.”

‘A country that feeds its people — and more’

Despite its small size — “half the land area of Italy,” he noted — Bangladesh today produces enough food to feed its 170 million citizens and an additional 1.3 million Rohingya refugees who fled persecution in Myanmar.

“We have become self-sufficient in rice, our staple,” Prof Yunus said, adding that Bangladesh now ranks among the world’s top producers of rice, vegetables, and freshwater fish.

He credited farmers for their innovation and resilience, noting that they have raised the country’s cropping intensity to 214 percent — a testament, he said, to “the spirit of a nation determined to feed itself and thrive.”

"We’ve released 133 climate-resilient rice varieties. We’ve mechanized farming, with subsidies of up to 70%. We’ve built a robust food distribution system. We are reducing stunting. We are diversifying diets. We are greening our agriculture — protecting soil, water, and biodiversity," Prof Yunus said.

Earlier, the Global Youth Forum opening ceremony marked the beginning of the 2025 World Food Forum (WFF) flagship week at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), bringing together thousands of young changemakers, government representatives, scientists and partners united in their commitment to build a better food future.

“Today is about looking forward, to the future that youth are already shaping,” said FAO Director-General QU Dongyu in his opening remarks.

He praised young people’s determination, noting, “When I look at this generation, I see one that refuses to accept limits.”

Encouraging them to take the lead, he added, “I ask you not just to participate, but to lead. Speak boldly. Listen generously. Challenge each other, and lift each other up.”

Held under the theme “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future,” this year’s Forum celebrates FAO’s 80th anniversary and emphasizes the importance of working together across generations, sectors and regions to drive progress towards more sustainable, inclusive and resilient agrifood systems.

The theme aligns with FAO’s vision of the Four Betters – Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment and a Better Life – leaving no one behind – the guiding framework for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The opening ceremony featured remarks from Lesego Chombo, Minister for Youth and Gender Affairs, Botswana; Carlos Do Canto Monteiro, Minister for Youth and Sports, Cabo Verde; Víctor Julio Carvajal Porras, Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Costa Rica;; and Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, Minister for Family and Social Services, Türkiye.

Now in its fifth edition, the World Food Forum (WFF) has grown into a dynamic, youth-led global platform that unites diverse stakeholders to accelerate progress through three interconnected pillars: the Global Youth Action Initiative, the Science and Innovation Forum, and the Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum.

By bridging these dimensions, the WFF fosters dialogue and collaboration across generations, turning ideas into scalable solutions that drive progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Throughout the week, participants are engaging in high-level discussions, innovation challenges, capacity-building workshops, and creative showcases — all centred on this year’s shared message: only by working “hand in hand” can we secure better food systems and a better future for all.

Once again, the World Food Forum seeks to demonstrate that when youth, science, innovation, and investment converge, transformation is not merely possible — it is already taking shape.

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Dr Yunus Vows to Institutionalise People’s Power Through February Election

Express Report
  14 Oct 2025, 02:15
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus delivers his speech at World Food Forum (WFF) in Rome on Monday.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Monday reaffirmed that the national election will be held in February, saying it will mark the institutionalisation of his government’s commitment to justice and people’s power.

Addressing the 2025 World Food Forum (WFF), Prof Yunus said the people of Bangladesh had “peacefully reclaimed their power” last year to restore democracy, peace, and human rights for all.

“It was our youth — young people full of courage and hope — who led that movement,” he said. “Their demand was simple: to return power to the people, and to build a society grounded in fairness, inclusion, and trust.”

Prof Yunus said those same young people are now actively engaged in rebuilding state institutions and shaping “a new Bangladesh that puts its people at the centre of governance.”

‘A country that feeds its people — and more’

Despite its small size — “half the land area of Italy,” he noted — Bangladesh today produces enough food to feed its 170 million citizens and an additional 1.3 million Rohingya refugees who fled persecution in Myanmar.

“We have become self-sufficient in rice, our staple,” Prof Yunus said, adding that Bangladesh now ranks among the world’s top producers of rice, vegetables, and freshwater fish.

He credited farmers for their innovation and resilience, noting that they have raised the country’s cropping intensity to 214 percent — a testament, he said, to “the spirit of a nation determined to feed itself and thrive.”

"We’ve released 133 climate-resilient rice varieties. We’ve mechanized farming, with subsidies of up to 70%. We’ve built a robust food distribution system. We are reducing stunting. We are diversifying diets. We are greening our agriculture — protecting soil, water, and biodiversity," Prof Yunus said.

Earlier, the Global Youth Forum opening ceremony marked the beginning of the 2025 World Food Forum (WFF) flagship week at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), bringing together thousands of young changemakers, government representatives, scientists and partners united in their commitment to build a better food future.

“Today is about looking forward, to the future that youth are already shaping,” said FAO Director-General QU Dongyu in his opening remarks.

He praised young people’s determination, noting, “When I look at this generation, I see one that refuses to accept limits.”

Encouraging them to take the lead, he added, “I ask you not just to participate, but to lead. Speak boldly. Listen generously. Challenge each other, and lift each other up.”

Held under the theme “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future,” this year’s Forum celebrates FAO’s 80th anniversary and emphasizes the importance of working together across generations, sectors and regions to drive progress towards more sustainable, inclusive and resilient agrifood systems.

The theme aligns with FAO’s vision of the Four Betters – Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment and a Better Life – leaving no one behind – the guiding framework for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The opening ceremony featured remarks from Lesego Chombo, Minister for Youth and Gender Affairs, Botswana; Carlos Do Canto Monteiro, Minister for Youth and Sports, Cabo Verde; Víctor Julio Carvajal Porras, Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Costa Rica;; and Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, Minister for Family and Social Services, Türkiye.

Now in its fifth edition, the World Food Forum (WFF) has grown into a dynamic, youth-led global platform that unites diverse stakeholders to accelerate progress through three interconnected pillars: the Global Youth Action Initiative, the Science and Innovation Forum, and the Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum.

By bridging these dimensions, the WFF fosters dialogue and collaboration across generations, turning ideas into scalable solutions that drive progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Throughout the week, participants are engaging in high-level discussions, innovation challenges, capacity-building workshops, and creative showcases — all centred on this year’s shared message: only by working “hand in hand” can we secure better food systems and a better future for all.

Once again, the World Food Forum seeks to demonstrate that when youth, science, innovation, and investment converge, transformation is not merely possible — it is already taking shape.

Comments

Candidates Stage Ongoing Shahbagh Protest, Warn of NTRCA Closure
CEC Hopes NCP Won’t Obstruct Democratic Transition Amid ‘Water Lily’ Row
July Charter Ceremony Deferred: New Date Set for Oct 17
Consensus Commission Seeks Views on Removing Bangabandhu’s Portrait from Institutions
CA Calls for Resolving Visa Issues to Boost Labour Market in Eastern Europe