Malé, Maldives: Marking a historic milestone in regional fisheries cooperation, India officially assumed the Chairmanship of the Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO) from Bangladesh at the 13th Governing Council Meeting in Malé, Maldives. The transition took place in the presence of senior representatives from Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Bangladesh, as part of the high-level conference “Policy Guidance for Mainstreaming Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) in Small-Scale Fisheries.” The event, hosted by the Ministry of Fisheries & Ocean Resources of the Maldives in collaboration with BOBP-IGO, was successfully convened from February 20 to 22, 2025, in Lankanfinolhu, Maldives.
Leading the Indian delegation, Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary, Department of Fisheries, Government of India, assumed the Chairmanship and reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthening the progress made by BOBP-IGO. He emphasized India’s focus on sustainable fisheries development, regional cooperation, and the welfare of small-scale fishers, ensuring that the organisation continues to grow under India’s leadership.
Dr. Likhi highlighted key areas for enhanced collaboration among member countries, including marine resource management, training and capacity building, research and policy advocacy, and tackling Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing. He urged member nations to foster deeper cooperation through knowledge exchange, technological advancements, and data sharing, which would help boost the region’s blue economy while ensuring the protection of marine ecosystems.
India’s leadership in BOBP-IGO is also expected to align with national initiatives aimed at poverty alleviation, economic development, and sustainable fisheries management. Dr. Likhi noted that India remains optimistic about continued support from international organisations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC), and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Under its new role, India aims to enhance the livelihoods of small-scale fishers, promote responsible fishing practices, and drive policy innovations that will benefit the entire Bay of Bengal region. The chairmanship is also a significant step toward achieving India’s national vision of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’, ensuring economic growth alongside environmental sustainability.
