Robert Simpson is new FAO chief in Bangladesh

Newly appointed Representative of the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) in Bangladesh Robert Douglas Simpson has presented his credentials to Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali.

An American, Simpson has had a long career at the FAO. Before joining his new role, he was the FLEGT Team Leader and Programme Manager of FAO.

At his ministry on Wednesday, Mahmodd Ali briefed him about the actions taken by the government to ensure food security in Bangladesh.

It has become the third largest producer of vegetables, fourth largest producer of rice and fifth largest producer of inland fisheries in the world, Simpson was told.

Ali also briefed the Representative of FAO about the recent development of Rohingya crisis.

Bangladesh is putting in all efforts so that the Rohingya refugees can return to their homes in Myanmar. He thanked the international community, especially FAO, for providing humanitarian assistance to Rohingya camps.

Simpson said the UN organisation was willing to strengthen its cooperation with Bangladesh especially in the areas of food security, nutrition, development of agricultural systems as well as realising the challenges in agricultural sector for achieving inclusive agricultural development.

He also expressed his willingness to increase cooperation with Bangladesh government in exploiting the resources offered by the blue economy and deep sea fishing.