Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has called upon the international community to engage with the “new Bangladesh” that emanated from the uprising led by the students and youth against an oppressive regime and discrimination.

His prerecorded video keynote speech was broadcast at the 48th session of IFAD’s Governing Council (International Fund for Agricultural Development) at IFAD’s headquarters in Rome on Wednesday.

While congratulating IFAD for its contribution towards reducing global poverty and inequality, the Chief Adviser recalled IFAD’s four decades of association with Bangladesh, especially in the agriculture and climate sector.

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He appreciated IFAD-supported projects that particularly empower the rural women in Bangladesh.

Dr Yunus referred to his concept of ‘Social Business’ as a new dimension to rural development which creates a virtuous cycle where businesses thrive by addressing the needs of the community, thereby fostering long-term development.

He drew a parallel between IFAD’s effort and the vision of a “3 Zero” world - zero poverty through non-wealth concentration, zero unemployment and zero net carbon emissions.

Dr Yunus called upon the Governing Council of IFAD to invest more in climate-resilient infrastructure, sustainable agricultural practices, and renewable energy solutions so that rural communities can thrive in harmony with the environment.

He urged the Member States of IFAD to seize opportunities for the most vulnerable and build a better world where no one is left behind.

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The Chief Adviser also called on leaders to engage the youth and students who are the future leaders and change-makers.

He mentioned that they have the creativity, innovation and passion to make a better world for them all.

Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed attended the council meeting as governor of the IFAD governing board and represented Bangladesh in the event, according to Economic Relations Division.

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