PM leaves for home after Italy visit

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left Rome for home this morning, wrapping up her visit to Italy.

A regular flight of Qatar Airways, carrying the premier and her entourage members, departed Rome Fiumicino Airport at 9:40 am local time (1:40 pm Bangladesh time).

The flight is scheduled to land at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 2:05 am tomorrow after making a stopover at Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar.

Hasina travelled to Rome on June 23 to attend the United Nations Food Systems Summit+2 Stocktaking Moment (UNFSS+2) at the invitation of the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Some 2,000 participants from over 160 countries, including over 20 heads of state and government, attended the July 24-26 UNFSS+2.

The prime minister delivered her address at the opening ceremony of the conference as a special guest speaker, addressed its plenary session titled "Food Systems and Climate Action" and opened the Bangladesh-Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Room at the FAO headquarters on July 24.

Besides, Hasina held a bilateral meeting with her Nepalese counterpart Pushpa Kamal Dahal at the newly opened Bangladesh-Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Room in the FAO Headquarters on the sideline of the UN Food Systems Summit.

Three Italian Ministers -- Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi and Justice Minister Carlo Nordio met her at FAO Headquarters.

FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu, President of International Fund of Agricultural Development (IFAD) Alvaro Lario and World Food Programme (WFP) Executive Director Cindy Hensley McCain separately met her on the same day.

Yesterday, Sheikh Hasina held a bilateral meeting with her Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni. Two memorandums of understanding (MoUs) -- "Cooperation in the Field of Energy" and "Cultural Exchange Programme" were exchanged between Bangladesh and Italy in the presence of the two leaders.

The PM attended the "Conference of Bangladesh Envoys in Europe", which was held at her place of residence with the participation of Bangladeshi envoys stationed in 15 European countries.

Hasina also addressed a community event hosted by the expatriate Bangladeshis in Italy yesterday.