IRRI Experts Highlight Climate-Smart Innovations for Food Security at Gobeshona Global Conference 2025

Dhaka, Bangladesh (30 April 2025) – The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) took center stage at the Gobeshona Global Conference 2025, hosted by the International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD) on 30th April 2025, with a dynamic virtual session titled “ Agri-Food System Innovations for Food Security. ” This webinar was arranged to connect local and international researchers, scholars, policy-makers, and practitioners to support and amplify the innovations in developing, implementing, and monitoring solutions to address climate change and to explore innovative pathways to resilient and inclusive agri-food systems in the face of escalating climate and water-related challenges.

Drawing on IRRI’s ongoing work under the CGIAR Initiatives on Asian Mega Deltas (AMD) and the Sustainable Farming Science Program , the session presented a series of case studies and field-based interventions designed to build resilience through inclusive, adaptive agri-food systems. These initiatives aim to tailor science and innovation to the needs of communities living in fragile, resource-constrained environments.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Humnath Bhandari , IRRI Country Representative for Bangladesh, emphasized the importance of integrating local efforts into the deployment of climate adaptation strategies.

“ Food systems are under immense stress from climate change, particularly in coastal Bangladesh where water salinity, scarcity, and seasonal cyclone threaten local livelihoods and overall food security,” he stated. “Locally led adaptation, supported by IRRI continuous research and inclusive government policy can offer a pathway toward resilience. ”

Dr. Ahmad Salahuddin , Senior Associate Scientist at IRRI and session coordinator, underlined the need for coordinated action across institutions.

“ We cannot treat climate resilience as a series of isolated efforts. Strengthening agri-food systems in the face of climate risk demands integrated policy frameworks that connect research, local implementation, and institutional accountability. ”

Presentations…