PM urges to build unified sustainable blue economic belt

Senior Correspondent: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called upon the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) member states to build a unified sustainable blue economic belt in this region by making best use of the untapped resources of the sea.

“There are great opportunities to accelerate the sustainable development process of the respective countries of the region through Blue Economy approach making best use of the unused or untapped resources of the sea,” she said.

Sheikh Hasina added, “We can tackle the challenges of poverty, food insecurity, energy crisis and ecological imbalances and create huge employment opportunity.”

The prime minister was formally inaugurating the 3rd IORA Blue Economy Ministerial Conference at Hotel InterContinental Dhaka on Thursday morning.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in association with IORA has organised the two-day conference.

The prime minister also urged the IORA member countries to build on a consensus agreement to achieve the Goal-14 of the SDGs of the UN through a sustainable approach of management of the sea resources in this conference.

She said in pursuit of making the best outcome of a unified sustainable Blue Economy, there is no alternative to cooperation and coordination among the stakeholders.

“Therefore, I would urge you all to build on a consensus agreement to achieve the Goal-14 of the SDGs of the UN through a sustainable approach of management of the sea resources in this conference,” she said.

Only then, she added, the Blue Economy would play pivotal role to contribute to the life of 9 billion people by 2050.

Pointing out that there is an intricate relation between peace, security and sustainable development, Sheikh Hasina said: “We have to keep it in mind that we cannot sacrifice the marine environment in pursuing economic growth.”

The premier went on saying: “We should simultaneously look Blue Economic Growth and think blue.”

She said a properly coordinated, profitable and overall a protective policy to the sea/ocean has to be adopted and to act accordingly to achieve the goal.

risingbd/Dhaka/September 05, 2019/Reza/AKA