DHAKA, Bangladesh

Bangladesh called on the regional states interlinked with the Indian Ocean to focus on conservation efforts, promote sustainable marine resource management, and take steps to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change.

Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister A K Abdul Momen made the appeal while addressing the three-day 9th Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission’s (IOC) Regional Committee for the Central Indian Ocean or IOC INDIO, which kicked off in the capital Dhaka on Tuesday.

The IOC INDIO was established in 1982 aiming to carry out basic oceanographic studies, and long-term plans for the protection, preservation, and promotion of marine ecosystems.

“The blue economy, marine biodiversity conservation, and ocean ecosystem are at the core of the IOC INDIO's work,” Momen said, adding that his country recognizes the importance of preserving oceans' biological diversity and is committed to working towards sustainable ocean governance.

The Indian Ocean is one of the world's most important water bodies, with a population of more than 2.6 billion people living in the coastal regions including the 19 member states of the IOC INDIO.

The IOC INDIO member states include Australia, Bangladesh, France, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, UAE, and the UK.

“We must prioritize marine biodiversity conservation and sustainable management practices to ensure the ocean's continued health and productivity,” the top Bangladeshi diplomat noted.

Claiming that Bangladesh is committed to combating climate change and implementing measures to protect oceans and coasts, Momen added: “We have taken bold steps, such as banning single-use plastic bags and implementing policies to reduce carbon emissions. We must continue our efforts to combat climate change and protect our oceans.”

Bangladesh is also one of the countries in the world being threatened heavily by plastic pollution. According to a study conducted by an award-winning local organization, Waste Concern, in 2019, a total of 821,250 tons of plastic waste were generated in urban hubs of Bangladesh a year while some 207,685 tons were dumped in the marine environment annually.

The minister also viewed that the IOC INDIO member states must continue to work together, share knowledge and resources, and take action to ensure the long-term health and sustainability of the Indian Ocean.

Representatives of 14 countries, including Bangladesh and the IOC-UNESCO Secretariat, the Indian Ocean Commission, and the World Bank, also participated in the three-day session chaired by Bangladesh.