Home ›› 14 May 2023 ›› Back
Ocean experts and policymakers of different countries on Saturday underscored the need for a concerted and collaborative approach to build a more peaceful, prosperous, and resilient Indian ocean region.
They said that climate change is a key challenge for the region to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. Besides, environment, food security, terrorism and trafficking as well as safety are other challenges here.
They also suggested strengthening regional connectivity and cooperation, mitigating carbon emission, ensuring energy security, reducing the use of plastics products to save the environment, implementing international code of conduct, and investing more in the blue economy for sustainable development.
The experts made the suggestions at several plenary sessions of the 6th Indian Ocean Conference organised by India Foundation in association with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday inaugurated the two-day conference aiming to strengthen regional economic cooperation among the countries in the region. High-level delegations from 25 countries took part in the event.
Speaking at a session, US Deputy Secretary Wendy Sherman said, “The climate crisis touches us all, but it has a disproportionate impact on Indian ocean countries. The USA plans to provide $165 million for programmes across the region that addresses climate change adaptation and mitigation, including the transition to a clean energy future.”
“Illegal, and unregulated fishing threaten blue economies, which need to be sustainable for future generations to prosper. All of these challenges require a concerted and collaborative approach among all of us, countries, multilateral bodies like Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), civil society, and people,” she added.
Sherman said that her country is seeking to provide $6 million, working with the U.S. Congress, for regional maritime security initiatives partnering with Bangladesh, India, Maldives, and Sri Lanka.
“This funding will bolster interdiction and law enforcement capacity in the Indian Ocean’s South Asian sub-region. Partnership is critical to maritime security, and I want to acknowledge India’s leadership in this space specifically in the fields of anti-piracy, EEZ monitoring, and disaster response.”
She also said investment in sustainable blue economies is a force multiplier, spurring economic development and demonstrating how environmental protection and economic growth are mutually reinforcing.
USAID invests more than $33 million in 15 countries each year to promote sustainable fisheries and conserve marine biodiversity. “And in this region, we are working to identify development assistance, including to Bangladesh, focused on growing sustainable blue economies.”
UAE Assistant Minister for Economic and Trade Affairs Saeed Mubarak Al Hajeri said diplomatic solution is crucial to resolve all challenges. The region’s oceans and seas account for 90 per cent of world trade and 60 per cent of oil transportation. The regions share 60 per cent of global GDP. Free trade negotiation is important here.
Vietnam’s Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet underscored the need for strengthening mutual understanding, cooperation and partnership among the regional countries. “We need to work together for our economic development and adopt climate change,” he also said.
Australia’s Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Tim Watts laid emphasis on shipping lines, tourism, resolving environmental and energy challenges as well as making a peaceful region.
Iran’s advisor for foreign affairs ministry Seyed Rasoul Mousavi said the importance of geopolitical is rising than globalisation.
“Our regional disputes should be resolved soon. The relationship between Iran and Saudi Arabia is normalising,” he added.
Suresh Prabhu, Chairman, Governing Council, India Foundation, urged the regional countries to take action plan and work together for sustainable economic development.
