The Asia Pacific Social Forum was held from 18-20 February 2022 as a continuation of the South Asia Social Forum as part of the World Social Forum. In this event, the related civil society organizations and movements of Bangladesh are being organized. As a part of this, a Webinar titled ‘Declining Food Rights Induced by Covid-19’ was held on Sunday, February 20, 2020 at 10.00 AM by the ‘Right to Food Bangladesh’ network. Mohsin Ali, General Secretary, Right to Food Bangladesh & Executive Director, WAVE Foundation delivered the welcome speech and presentation on behalf of the webinar organizer.
Dr. Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad, Chairman, Right to Food Bangladesh and Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF); Dr. Prem Prasad Dangal, Chairman National Farmer’s Commission, Nepal; Sandeep Chachra, Executive Director Action aid, India & Co-Chair, World Urban Campaign; Dr. Kritsada Boonchai, Researcher, Local Development Institute, Thailand; Sachin Jain, Right to Food Campaign, India; Suresh Goutom, Vice President of Human Rights Alliance Member of FIAN Nepal, was present as a speaker. The webinar will be moderated by Kaniz Fatima, coordinator of Right to Food Bangladesh Network & representatives from various countries in the Asia Pacific region including Bangladesh will participate in this webinar.
Mohsin Ali, while giving the welcome speech and presentation on behalf of the organizer, said that ‘People’s life is disturbed in the situation of Covid-19 which is evident from the review of various statistics. The adverse effects of Corona are showing a crisis at all levels including food, employment. To solve this socio-economic crisis, everyone has to come forward from their position.’ Eminent economist Dr. Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad said in his speech, ‘During the time of Corona, we have seen the increase in the price of food and the weakness of the food supply system. Now we need to think about the food system. It is not to say that we don’t have food, we have food but there is a shortage of supply in our market system. We need to find a way out of our problems. It cannot be allowed that some have a lot, and some have none.’ Talking about Nepal’s food system, Dr. Prem Prasad Dangal said, ‘Food governance requires policies; sovereign; accountability; coordination; public participation; Institutional Development; Monitoring and Evaluation.’ India’s representative Sandeep Chachra said, `We need financial capitalism.Food shortages and unemployment have increased drastically during the Covid period. Now we need to unite. Moving towards solutions through collective power.’Joined from Thailand Dr. Kritsada Boonchai said, `Although Thailand is a large food exporting country, the food system has been adversely affected during the Corona period, just like the countries in the region.’ Indian representative Sachin Jain said, `India is going through a terrible situation in all areas of food, agriculture, employment during the Covid period. Adequate efforts need to be made in the food system to reduce this dire situation. Nepalese representative Suresh Goutom said, ‘easily available in the food system; Accessibility, cost-effectiveness and proper utilization are the four aspects to be considered.’ With the participation of all present and the collective initiative of the civil society, the organization of the South Asia Social Forum was called to establish food security and eliminate discrimination.
