During a courtesy meeting with the Adviser to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock on Wednesday, November 6, UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh, Gwyn Lewis, emphasized that Bangladesh faces increased risks of zoonotic diseases due to its extensive borders with Myanmar and India. The meeting was held at the office of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, with Secretary Saeed Mahmud Belal Haider, Additional Secretary A.T.M. Mostafa Kamal, and UN Senior Human Rights Advisor Huma Khan in attendance.
Ms. Lewis remarked that Bangladesh has become a model nation in the region through its initiatives in the One Health approach. She also stressed the need for further identification of areas where the UN can support Bangladesh’s efforts in the Blue Economy and One Health initiatives.
Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter called for the UN’s collaboration in safeguarding Bangladesh from zoonotic diseases and highlighted the importance of coordinated efforts across various sectors, including fisheries, livestock, environment, and agriculture. Ms. Lewis assured that the UN would strengthen cross-border cooperation to support Bangladesh’s initiatives to mitigate these health risks.
