Bangladesh Calls for Multi-Stakeholder Marine Research

Desk Report

Published: 18 Nov 2020, 02:32 pm

The Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations Ambassador Rabab Fatima said that it needs a fair share of marine resources, particularly in areas outside national jurisdiction and in ISA-controlled areas, to maximize the full potential of the Blue Economy.

The Ambassador made an observation while speaking at a high-level virtual meeting on the International Seabed Authority's Draft Marine Scientific Research Action Plan held in New York on Tuesday.  

The Action Plan has been developed to support the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.   

Referring to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's vision 2041 of making Bangladesh a developed nation, Ambassador Fatima claimed in her statement that Bangladesh is investing heavily in capacity building for the efficient use and scientific management of its marine resources to help the achievement of that vision.


In a country with a large population and limited land resources, the blue economy has emerged as one of Bangladesh's most important development borders following the peaceful settlement of its maritime borders with the neighboring countries of Myanmar and India.

In this context, Ambassador Fatima reiterated Bangladesh's deep involvement in collaborating with ISA and other stakeholders to undertake joint deep-sea research.

Welcoming the various initiatives already undertaken by the International Seabed Authority with a view to advancing deep seabed research, Ambassador Fatima stressed the need for capacity building and technical assistance to the developing countries, ensuring inclusivity so that no one is left behind, multi-stakeholder strategic alliances and partnerships at all levels, gender parity, adequate, predictable and innovative financing and above all protection of the integrity of the marine environment and its biodiversity while conducting marine scientific research in the deep sea.   

It was chaired by Michael W. Lodge, Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority.

Among other high-level officials, the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries of the Republic of Korea, the Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway and a number of Ambassadors and Permanent Representatives attended the conference.

It may be mentioned that Bangladesh has recently been elected as the president of the Council of the International Seabed Authority.

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