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Chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Monday placed six proposals for a complete transformation of the global food and economic systems to end hunger, saying hunger is caused by the failure of the existing economic framework.

‘Hunger is not caused by scarcity. It is caused by the failure of the economic framework that we have designed . . . we must change the system,’ he said.

The chief adviser presented a keynote speech at the grand opening of the World Food Forum flagship event 2025 at Food and Agricultural Organisation headquarters in Rome of Italy.

Yunus six proposals are – stopping the wars, starting the dialogue and ensuring food access in conflict zones for breaking the hunger and conflict cycle; keeping the promises, fulfilling the SDG finance commitments, taking climate action seriously, and helping the most vulnerable build resilience; creating regional food banks to manage shocks and stabilise supply chains; creating and supporting local entrepreneurs, particularly youth entrepreneurs with finance, infrastructure, and global partnerships; ending export bans, making trade rules to support food security; and ensuring access to and development of technology and innovation — especially for the Global South, and to the rural youth, both boys and girls.

‘In 2024, 673 million people went hungry. Yet we produce more than enough food. This is not a failure of production — it’s a failure of the economic system. It’s a moral failure,’ Professor Yunus observed.

‘While we couldn’t raise a few billion dollars to end hunger, the world spent 2.7 trillion dollars on weapons. Is this how we define progress?’

He stressed going deeper for systematic change, saying, ‘We must rethink the entire economic system. The old way—which is based on profit-maximising business—has left billions behind.’

Elaborating his vision of a Three-Zero World, he said, ‘This is not a dream. It is a necessity, the only way to save the world.’

‘We must create social business funds — to support young entrepreneurs, women, farmers, agri-business creators and technology developers,’ Yunus emphasised.

‘If we invest in youth, we will not only feed the world, we’ll change the world,’ Professor Yunus said.

Highlighting Bangladesh’s support to global cooperation, he said, ‘We are a founding member of the global alliance against hunger and poverty. Together with FAO and under the G20, we are committed to real, practical support — technical, financial, and moral.’

Yunus also commended FAO’s Nobel Peace Laureates Alliance for food security and peace, of which he is a member, expressing hope that it will continue to create milestones in global food security.

He highlighted Bangladesh’s success in food production, saying the country feeds over 170 million people despite its small land area and also support 1.3 million Rohingyas, who fled under violence in Myanmar.

Meanwhile, Professor Yunus held a meeting with president of Brazil Luiz In cio Lula da Silva on the sidelines of World Food Forum on the same day.

On Sunday, Yunus held a meeting with IFAD president Alvaro Lario.