Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Thursday said two memorandums of understanding (MoUs) are likely to be signed between Dhaka and Rome as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is going to visit Italy from July 24-26.
"During this visit of the prime minister, two MoUs – “Cooperation in the Field of Energy” and “Cultural Exchange Programme” – are likely to be signed between Bangladesh and Italy," Momen said at a curtain raiser press briefing at the foreign ministry in Dhaka.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will leave Dhaka for Rome on July 23 to attend the “United Nations Food Systems Summit +2 Stocktaking Moment” (UNFSS+2) conference at the invitation of the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.
The UNFSS+2 conference will be held at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) headquarters in Rome on July 24-26 with the theme “Sustainable Food Systems for People, Planet and Prosperity: Diverse Pathways in a Shared Journey.”
The foreign minister said, “The prime minister will pass a very busy time during the visit as on July 24 she will address the official opening of the conference at the FAO headquarters as the special guest speaker.”
Heads of state, heads of government, agriculture specialists, food producers, scientists, researchers and other stakeholders from different countries will attend the forum, he said.
Momen said UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, among others, is scheduled to address the session.
After the opening ceremony, the prime minister will participate in the plenary session titled “Food Systems and Climate Action.”
On the evening of the same day, the prime minister will attend the “Regional Envoys Conference” organised with Bangladesh ambassadors stationed in 15 European countries.
On July 25, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with her Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni.
Besides, the executive heads of Rome-based international organisations – Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and World Food Programme (WFP) – will pay courtesy calls on the prime minister.
Foreign Minister Abdul Momen, Agriculture Minister Muhammad Abdur Razzaque, Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder, members of parliament and government high officials will join the UNFSS+2 as prime minister's entourage members.
The prime minister will leave Rome for home on July 26.
UNFSS+2 is commencing with the aim of reviewing the progress of the implementation of the recommendations adopted at the “United Nations Food Systems Summit” held on September 23, 2021.
During the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina joined virtually and proposed five-point recommendations.
