New York, 17 November 2020:     

“To maximize the full potentials of the Blue Economy, we need an equitable share of marine resources, especially in areas beyond national jurisdiction and in ISA controlled areas”-said Ambassador Rabab Fatima, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations in New York while speaking at the High-level virtual Meeting on the Draft Marine Scientific Research Action Plan of the International Seabed Authority held on 17 November 2020. The Action Plan has been developed to support the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.

Referring to the Hon’ble Prime Minister Her Excellency Sheikh Hasina’s vision 2041 to make Bangladesh a developed country, Ambassador Fatima, in her statement, mentioned that Bangladesh is investing heavily in capacity building for the effective utilization and scientific management of its marine resources to support the achievement of that vision. In a country with huge population and scarce land resources, blue economy has emerged as one of the most important development frontiers of Bangladesh following the peaceful settlement of its maritime boundaries with neighboring countries Myanmar and India.  In this context, Ambassador Fatima reiterated Bangladesh’s deep interest to partner with ISA and other stakeholders in conducting joint research in the deep sea areas.

Welcoming the various initiatives already undertaken by the International Seabed Authority with a view to advancing deep seabed research, Ambassador Fatima stressed on 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. 

The Meeting was chaired by Mr.  Michael W.  Lodge, the Secretary General of the International Seabed Authority. Among other high-level dignitaries, the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries of the Republic of Korea, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway and a number of Ambassadors and Permanent Representatives attended the meeting.  It may be mentioned that Bangladesh has recently been elected as the president of the Council of the International Seabed Authority.