The Impressive TimesMaldives,feb 21, 2025: As historic and a moment of immense pride, India assumed Chairmanship of Bay of Bengal (BOB) Inter-Governmental Organisation today from Bangladesh at the Governing Council Meeting, in the presence of senior representatives of Governments from Sri Lanka, Maldives and Bangladesh. The Indian delegation, led by Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary of the Department of Fisheries, Government of India (GoI) attended the event and assumed Chair during the event.
Secretary, Department of Fisheries (GoI) highlighted that India is committed to upholding and building upon the achievements of the Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO) as the leadership transitions from Bangladesh to India. He assured that the Department of Fisheries (GoI) would diligently work towards elevating the success of BOBP-IGO to newer heights and will be forthcoming in providing definitive guidance for all future endeavours for development of fisheries across all member countries.
Further, he underscored the importance of regional collaboration, and the crucial role India and other countries are playing in advancing the interests of developing nations. As India remains optimistic about receiving continued support and collaboration from Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and other relevant organizations, Secretary, Department of Fisheries (GoI) urged all member nations to enhance and foster mutual support through exchange of knowledge, technology, experiences, data and best practices. The collaborations are expected to strengthen region’s blue economy, harmonize economic development along with protection of marine ecosystem and help in poverty alleviation.
Secretary, Department of Fisheries (GoI) highlighted India’s developmental policies aimed at improving the well-being of small-scale fisheries and the sustainability measures being implemented under its various schemes and programs.
The event was a part of the high-level conference ‘Policy Guidance for Mainstreaming Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) in Small-Scale Fisheries’, hosted by the Ministry of Fisheries & Ocean Resources of the Maldives government, in collaboration with the Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO), has been successfully convened from February 20 to 22, 2025, in Lankanfinolhu, Maldives.
With the successful culmination of this important event and India assuming Chair of the BoBP-IGO, it will be the endeavour of Department of Fisheries (GoI) to not only lead the member nations in the most effective and efficient manner through collaborative efforts but also ensure that significant progress is made in
development of Small-scale fisheries (SSF) in the region. This achievement bestows international leadership and responsibilities, it is also expected to bring in multifaceted advancements for achieving of the national goal of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’.
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