Environmental, Forest, and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan emphasized the need to integrate environmental policies into agri-food systems during her 8th IUCN Regional Conservation Forum address.
The forum, held in Bangkok, brought together experts from across Asia to discuss pressing environmental issues.
She called for promoting sustainable agricultural practices, including organic food production, reduced use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers, support of local farming, and traditional agriculture by forest-dependent Indigenous communities.
She pointed out that the current agri-food systems are one of the major contributors to environmental degradation, including deforestation, soil depletion, and water scarcity.
Environment Adviser also discussed the specific challenges faced by countries like Bangladesh, where agricultural practices are deeply intertwined with the livelihoods of millions.
