State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam today stressed that ensuring food security must go hand in hand with environmentally sustainable agriculture and strengthened climate resilience.

She made the remarks when World Food Programme (WFP) Resident Representative and Country Director in Bangladesh Coco H. Ushiyama called on her at the foreign ministry here, said a foreign ministry's press release. 

During the meeting, Shama expressed appreciation for WFP's longstanding cooperation with Bangladesh in the areas of food security, nutrition, social protection and humanitarian assistance.

She thanked WFP for its continued assistance to the forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals (Rohingyas) temporarily sheltered in Bangladesh despite prevailing resource constraints.

The state minister underscored the need for sustained international support to ensure uninterrupted food and nutrition assistance for the Rohingyas.

Shama also commended WFP's contribution to Bangladesh's School Meals Programme and emphasised capacity-building to further strengthen the country's food security.

Highlighting the government's priorities, she stressed promoting environmentally sustainable agriculture and referred to its countrywide tree-plantation initiative as part of broader efforts towards environmental sustainability and climate resilience.

The state minister sought WFP's support for government initiatives falling within its operational mandate, including the Family Card Programme, and called for enhanced cooperation to help Bangladesh achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the stipulated timeframe.

Ushiyama said WFP has been working to address key drivers of hunger as well as growing vulnerabilities arising from the impacts of climate change on agriculture, food security and nutrition, particularly among women and children.

She briefed the state minister on WFP's ongoing activities in Khulna Division and Habiganj district and its engagement in social safety nets, climate resilience, disaster management and earthquake preparedness.

Both sides expressed commitment to further strengthening the Bangladesh-WFP partnership to ensure food security, advance sustainable development and contribute to building a secure, climate-resilient and prosperous Bangladesh.