The Ministry of Agriculture, in partnership with the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation, organized a rally in the city to celebrate World Food Day. The theme for this year's event is 'Achieving Food Security in Times of Crisis'. The Agriculture minister, Matia Chowdhury, kicked off the day's activities with the rally, which was followed by a procession starting from Khamar Bari. The event was attended by agriculturists, scientists, officials, and members of the public, as well as hundreds of school children carrying colourful banners and festoons. The programme received support from Telefood, a FAO project aimed at ending hunger, bdnews24.com and Channel i. A seminar to commemorate the day is taking place at Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council, with the presence of agricultural minister Matia Chowdhury. Also in attendance are food and disaster management minister Mohammad Abdur Razzaque and minister of fisheries and livestock Abdul Latif Biswas. The guest of honour at the seminar is FAO Bangladesh representative, AD Spijkers. A children's painting competition is set to take place at 3pm at Bangladesh Shishu Academy. Additionally, a three-day fair on 'Agriculture and Food' will be inaugurated at the Krishibid Institution premises at 12pm. Another fair will also be held at Depasai village in Somobhat union under Dhamrai upazila. Channel i will broadcast the event live. In the afternoon, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will unveil postage stamps and envelopes to mark the occasion. Additionally, district and upazila administrations nationwide are marking the day with discussion meetings and rallies. President Zillur Rahman emphasized the importance of ensuring food security in a changing climate on the eve of World Food Day, stating that research and technological innovation can help increase food production. Prime minister Sheikh Hasina emphasized that agriculture is the sector most impacted by climate change and is vulnerable. She stressed the importance of ensuring food security by addressing this situation. Sheikh Hasina also noted that Bangladesh achieved self-dependency in agriculture during the previous Awami League government from 1996-2001, but subsequent governments were unable to sustain this success. The current government is committed to achieving food security for all by becoming self-reliant once again. In his statement, UN chief Ban Ki-moon emphasized the importance of food and nutritional security in achieving a decent life, education, and the Millennium Development Goals. He highlighted the challenges of volatile food prices, the economic crisis, climate change, and conflict leading to a rise in the number of people experiencing food insecurity. Ban Ki-moon called for coordinated strategies for agricultural development and social protection to ensure that vulnerable populations, especially women and children, have access to the food they need for their well-being. FAO representative in Bangladesh, AD Spijkers, expressed concerns that the goal of eradicating extreme poverty and hunger (MDG 1) is at risk of setbacks. Spijkers explained that the economic crisis and sudden price increases have resulted in decreased incomes and limited access to food for the poor, especially those in the most impoverished regions of the world. He mentioned that the government has made a commitment to achieve food self-sufficiency by 2012 and maintain it. Spijkers expressed confidence that the farmers of Bangladesh have the potential to reach this goal.