The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony between the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and the SAARC Agriculture Centre (SAC) was held in New York, USA. Ambassador Md. Golam Sarwar, Secretary General of SAARC, attended the event as the guest of honour, while Dr. Johan Swinnen, Director General of IFPRI, participated as the special guest.
The ceremony was also attended by Dr. Md. Harunur Rashid, Director of SAC, Dhaka; Dr. Shahidur Rashid, Director of IFPRI South Asia Office, New Delhi; Dr. Purnima Menon, Senior Director of IFPRI, Washington; and Dr. Teunis Van Rheenen, Director of Business Development and External Relations at IFPRI, Washington.
This collaboration is designed to strengthen cooperation in critical areas including agricultural research, extension services, nutrition, and policy development. Ambassador Md. Golam Sarwar remarked that the MoU between SAC and IFPRI would significantly contribute to advancing agricultural technology and ensuring effective dissemination across the region. He emphasized that the partnership would be highly beneficial in reinforcing collaborative efforts in agriculture and allied disciplines.
The Director General of IFPRI noted that the partnership would expand cooperation in knowledge generation and management, agricultural trade, policy innovation, and capacity building. He underscored the importance of joint efforts in addressing the pressing challenges of food security and sustainable agriculture.
The ceremony concluded with a shared commitment to building a food-secure, resilient, and prosperous South Asia through enhanced research, policy innovation, and regional cooperation.
