Scene Setter
Panel 2: Imperatives for Securing the Food Production Base
Dr Mahfuzuddin Ahmed
Dr. Ahmed has over 30 years of professional work experience in agriculture, natural resources management and rural development in Asia, Africa, and Pacific. Prior to joining ADB in 2006, he was a Director for Policy, Economics and Social Science, and Principal Scientist at the WorldFish Center of the Consultative Group for International Agriculture Research where he conducted extensive research on fisheries policy and economics. He also worked as Technical Adviser in the Mekong River Commission during 1994-1996. Dr. Ahmed started his career as Lecturer of Economics at the University of Chittagong – birthplace of Grameen Bank. He obtained his Doctorate degree in Resource and Agricultural Economics from the University of Putra Malaysia, Malaysia; a Master’s degree in Agricultural Economics from Chittagong University, Bangladesh; and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics also from Chittagong University, Bangladesh. He has also completed Stanford Executive Program in 2003. He has published over hundred peer reviewed articles and books. His three most recent contributions include: Climate Change and Food Security in the Pacific: Rethinking Options (2011); Economics of Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions in South Asia (2013); and Costs of Climate Change and Adaptation in South Asia (2014).
Dr. Ahmed served a number of international organizations and professional societies in various capacities. He was President-elect (2002-2004) and President (2004-2006) of the International Institute for Fisheries economics and Trade. He also served as a member on the Constituent Assembly of the Global Forum on Agricultural Research. At present, he serves on the Steering Committee of the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program, a financial intermediary fund administered by the World Bank.
Advisor, Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department, Asian Development Bank
Dr Ahmed is Advisor for Agriculture, Rural Development and Food Security and Chair for the Rural Development and Food Security (Agriculture) Thematic Group in Asian Development Bank (ADB). He is also a member of the Thematic Group for Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management in ADB. Before being appointed to his current position Dr. Ahmed led several ADB initiatives in Asia and Pacific such the Greater Mekong Subregion Working Group on Agriculture and Core Agriculture Support Program; Pacific Climate Change Program; and Climate Action South Asia. Dr. Ahmed joined ADB in May 2006 as a Senior Project Economist.Dr. Ahmed has over 30 years of professional work experience in agriculture, natural resources management and rural development in Asia, Africa, and Pacific. Prior to joining ADB in 2006, he was a Director for Policy, Economics and Social Science, and Principal Scientist at the WorldFish Center of the Consultative Group for International Agriculture Research where he conducted extensive research on fisheries policy and economics. He also worked as Technical Adviser in the Mekong River Commission during 1994-1996. Dr. Ahmed started his career as Lecturer of Economics at the University of Chittagong – birthplace of Grameen Bank. He obtained his Doctorate degree in Resource and Agricultural Economics from the University of Putra Malaysia, Malaysia; a Master’s degree in Agricultural Economics from Chittagong University, Bangladesh; and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics also from Chittagong University, Bangladesh. He has also completed Stanford Executive Program in 2003. He has published over hundred peer reviewed articles and books. His three most recent contributions include: Climate Change and Food Security in the Pacific: Rethinking Options (2011); Economics of Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions in South Asia (2013); and Costs of Climate Change and Adaptation in South Asia (2014).
Dr. Ahmed served a number of international organizations and professional societies in various capacities. He was President-elect (2002-2004) and President (2004-2006) of the International Institute for Fisheries economics and Trade. He also served as a member on the Constituent Assembly of the Global Forum on Agricultural Research. At present, he serves on the Steering Committee of the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program, a financial intermediary fund administered by the World Bank.