Indian Ocean Region: PM outlines six priorities

GBDESK//

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has outlined six priority areas, including fostering maritime diplomacy and partnership, and strengthening maritime security and mutual trust, for the Indian Ocean countries to ensure prosperity.

“Despite its potential, the region faces many challenges. The countries in the Indian Ocean region, therefore, need to foster partnerships and cooperation for ensuring peace and prosperity for all,” she said.

The PM was addressing an event marking the inauguration of the 6th Indian Ocean Conference-2023 at a city hotel yesterday.

Dhaka is hosting the two-day conference with participation of high-level government delegations and think tanks from at least 25 countries.

Hasina said given its geographical position, the Indian Ocean holds significant importance not only for Bangladesh, but also for all other regional countries. Bangladesh has recently formulated its Indo-Pacific Outlook, she added.

The PM said the countries in the Indian Ocean region should foster “maritime diplomacy” for their development, thereby ensuring a prosperous future.

She said climate vulnerability of many countries in the region calls for the need to enhance cooperation to reduce the impact of natural disasters.

Mutual trust and respect among the countries should be strengthened for building strong partnerships to ensure stability for a resilient future in the Indian Ocean, Hasina added.

The premier said the regional countries should strengthen existing mechanisms on maritime safety and security in the Indian Ocean, including response to emergencies at sea, conduct of search and rescue, uphold the exercise of freedom of navigation and overflight, in accordance with international law.

She said the countries should promote “culture of peace” and people-centric development in the region. Women, half of the global population, should get due attention, for building peaceful, just and inclusive societies in the region, the PM observed.

Hasina said the regional countries should promote open, transparent, rules-based multilateral systems that facilitate equitable and sustainable development in the region and beyond through inclusive economic growth.

She said the oceans and seas account for 90 percent of world trade and 60 percent of oil transportation. The real value of global maritime trade has increased remarkably in the past 15 years, she added.

Although oceans offer excellent opportunities in supporting sustainable development in countries across the world, much of their potential still remains untapped, the PM observed.