OWSA Contributor

By combining economic opportunities with risk reduction, CRALEP aims to create a ripple effect: improved market access, better health, and reduced poverty.

Food security is at stake in a nation self-sufficient in rice production. The unregulated market risks artificial shortages, where hoarding drives spikes despite ample harvests. Without intervention, experts warn of potential vulnerabilities to climate shocks or global disruptions, as the system lacks resilience.

Failure to act, Ahmed cautioned, could derail Bangladesh’s economic aspirations, leaving businesses vulnerable and the nation grappling with stagnation.

These hikes aim to generate more revenue – Everest alone brought in over $5 million in 2025 – while deterring casual climbers.

In response to the airstrikes, the United Nations has emerged as a key player in attempting to de-escalate the situation. On February 23, 2026, UN deputy secretary-general Rosemary DiCarlo held a phone conversation with Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, during which she expressed deep sympathy for the civilian losses.

This incident is far from isolated in Nepal, a Himalayan nation where road accidents claim hundreds of lives annually. Poor infrastructure, overloaded vehicles, and inadequate enforcement of safety regulations are perennial issues.

This latest flare-up is symptomatic of deeper issues: mutual distrust, unresolved border disputes, and the enduring legacy of the US-led war in Afghanistan. Pakistan has repeatedly accused the Taliban of harbouring militants, while Kabul counters that Islamabad’s policies have fuelled instability.

Having conducted a rapid reappraisal of the nation’s ground realities, the new administration opted to prioritize macroeconomic stability over an immediate change in international economic status.