Polls in February to uphold people’s power: Prof Yunus

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus delivers his speech at World Food Forum (WFF) in Rome on Monday.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Monday reaffirmed his government’s plan to hold the national election in February, saying it would mark a milestone in institutionalising Bangladesh’s commitment to justice and people’s power.

Delivering his keynote address at the 2025 World Food Forum (WFF) in Rome, Prof Yunus said last year’s peaceful uprising by the people of Bangladesh restored their democratic rights and rekindled their hope for a just and inclusive society.

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

Prof Yunus said those young changemakers are now engaged in rebuilding national institutions.

“They are shaping a new Bangladesh — one that puts its people at the centre of governance,” he added.

Highlighting Bangladesh’s progress in agriculture, Prof Yunus said that despite being half the size of Italy, the country feeds more than 170 million people and also supports 1.3 million Rohingyas who fled persecution in Myanmar.

“We have become self-sufficient in rice — our staple food — and are among the world’s top producers of rice, vegetables, and freshwater fish,” he said.

Bangladeshi farmers, he noted, have increased cropping intensity to 214 percent and are adopting innovative practices to tackle climate challenges.

“We’ve released 133 climate-resilient rice varieties, mechanised farming with subsidies of up to 70 percent, and built a robust food distribution system,” Prof Yunus said.

He added that Bangladesh is “reducing stunting, diversifying diets, and greening agriculture to protect soil, water, and biodiversity.”

Calling for global unity, Prof Yunus urged world leaders to stop wars, end hunger, and ensure food access in conflict zones.

Earlier, the Global Youth Forum marked the start of the WFF flagship week at the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) headquarters, bringing together thousands of young changemakers, policymakers, scientists, and partners to shape 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, saying, “When I look at this generation, I see one that refuses to accept limits.”

Encouraging youth to 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,” the 2025 Forum coincides with FAO’s 80th anniversary. It underscores the importance of intergenerational and cross-sector cooperation to build sustainable, inclusive, and resilient agrifood systems.

The event aligns with FAO’s “Four Betters” vision — Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment, and a Better Life — leaving no one behind in the pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Ministers from Botswana, Cabo Verde, Costa Rica, and Türkiye also addressed the opening ceremony, reflecting the global commitment to shared progress.

Now in its fifth edition, the World Food Forum has become a youth-driven global platform fostering dialogue and collaboration across generations. Through the Global Youth Action Initiative, Science and Innovation Forum, and Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum, the WFF bridges ideas and actions to accelerate sustainable transformation.

As the week progresses, participants are engaging in discussions, innovation contests, capacity-building activities, and creative showcases — all built around one unifying belief:

only by working hand in hand can humanity secure better food and a better future for all.