The Local Government Division (LGD) under the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development, and Cooperatives, Bangladesh recently hosted a pivotal workshop titled Strengthening Urban Food Policies for Healthy Cities in Bangladesh. This event was organized in collaboration with the Nutrition in City Ecosystems (NICE) project to advance the country’s urban food and nutrition policy agenda. NICE is one of the projects of the Sustainable Agriculture Foundation Bangladesh (SAF Bangladesh).
Under LGD’s leadership, the workshop provided a dynamic platform for policymakers, researchers, academicians, and experts to engage in meaningful discussions. The primary objectives were to develop evidence-based policies for enhancing urban food systems, strengthen public procurement processes, and ensure sustainable access to safe and nutritious food for city dwellers.
The event commenced with opening remarks by Mr. Swe Min Zaw, Deputy Secretary of the Policy Support Branch, LGD. Dr. Helen Prytherch, PhD, MPH, Head of Systems Strengthening & Health Promotion Unit, Swiss TPH, presented an insightful overview of the NICE project. Md Moshfequel Alam Talukder, Project Manager of NICE at SAF Bangladesh, further elaborated on the project’s key initiatives and their impact on urban food policies.
A notable highlight of the workshop was the Keynote Presentation and Q&A Session led by Mr. Hamidul H Khan, CEO of HK Consulting. His presentation provided an in-depth analysis of the challenges and opportunities in strengthening urban food policies in Bangladesh.
Engaging Panel Discussion on Urban Food and Nutrition Policy
The workshop also featured an engaging Panel Discussion on Urban Food and Nutrition Policy for a Healthy City, moderated by Mr. Hamidul H Khan. The distinguished panel included:
- Dr. Helen Prytherch, PhD, MPH – Head of Systems Strengthening & Health Promotion Unit, Swiss TPH
- Dr. Farzana Akter Dorin – National Professional Officer-Policies for Prevention of NCDs, WHO
- Dr. Anil Kumar Das – Senior National Program Specialist, FAO of the United Nations
- Dr. Khaleda Islam – Professor, Institute of Nutrition and Food Science, Dhaka University.
The discussion highlighted the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration in urban food policy formulation and implementation. The panelists shared their expertise on innovative strategies for ensuring food security, preventing non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and fostering sustainable urban food ecosystems. Following the panel discussion, Mr. Farhad Zamil, Executive Director of SAF Bangladesh, expressed heartfelt gratitude to all attendees for their contributions and participation. The workshop concluded with closing remarks by the Chief Guest, Mr. Mohammad Saiful Islam Mazomder, Joint Secretary, Policy Support Branch, LGD. He reaffirmed the Local Government Division’s commitment to supporting the NICE Project and strengthening urban food policies in Bangladesh.
The workshop on Strengthening Urban Food Policies for Healthy Cities in Bangladesh marks a significant step toward developing sustainable and inclusive urban food systems. By fostering collaboration between government bodies, international organizations, and local stakeholders, this initiative aims to enhance food security and promote healthier urban living environments. Moving forward, the insights gained from this workshop will play a crucial role in shaping policies that ensure safe, nutritious, and accessible food for all city dwellers in Bangladesh.
