PM leaves for Italy Sunday

On the invitation of the United Nations Secretary-General, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will depart Dhaka for Italy on Sunday in order to attend the UN Food Systems Summit, which will take place in Rome from July 24 to 26.

With the topic "Sustainable Food Systems for People, Planet, and Prosperity: Diverse Pathways in a Shared Journey," the summit known as "United Nations Food Systems +2 Stocktaking Moment" (UNFSS+2) will take place at the FAO Headquarters.

On Sunday at 5:00am, Sheikh Hasina and her entourage will depart from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. She is expected to arrive in Rome around 2:00pm local time after stopping in Doha.

During her stay in Italy, she will also sit in a bilateral meeting with her Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni.

“The premier is expected to pass busy time during her stay in Italy,” said Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen at a press conference on Thursday.

The Prime Minister of Bangladesh will speak at the summit's opening session on July 24 as a special guest. Among others, UN Secretary-General António Guterres is anticipated to speak at the gathering, he said.

Sheikh Hasina will then participate a regional envoy conference, which will be held on the same day with participation from 15 Bangladeshi envoys stationed in Europe, and attend a plenary session on food systems and climate action at the FAO headquarters.

The Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni and the prime minister of Bangladesh will meet in person on July 25.

During her visit to Italy, two memorandums of understanding (MoUs) on "cooperation in the field of energy" and "cultural exchange program" are anticipated to be signed.

In addition, the Prime Minister is anticipated to have discussions with the executive directors of the FAO, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and World Food Programme (WFP).

In addition to Salam Fazlur Rahman, the PM's Private Industry and Investment Adviser, the premier will be accompanied during the tour by Agriculture Minister Muhammad Abdur Razzaque, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder, and others.

On July 26, Sheikh Hasina is anticipated to fly back home.