Foreign Minister stresses collective efforts for responsible ocean management

Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud has called for the joint efforts of everyone to ensure responsible and sustainable ocean management.

He made the call while addressing a high-level panel discussion of foreign ministers on the theme of ‘Sustainable Ocean Management’ on Wednesday (April 17) at the ninth ‘Our Ocean Conference' being held in Athens, the capital of Greece.

The conference started from last Monday (April 15).

Dr Hasan said the sustainable management of the sea should be such that a balance is maintained between the socio-economic development of the people living on the sea coast and the preservation of the environment. Responsible and careful use of oceans and marine resources is absolutely necessary to sustain the earth for future generations.

In his speech, the foreign minister also highlighted various initiatives taken by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to ensure sustainable sea management and fair use of marine resources for socio-economic development of the country.

The foreign minister recalled that various countries had promised about $10 billion to build a system for the preservation of biodiversity outside the national boundaries of the countries of the world, the overall development of the ecosystem and green shipping or environmentally friendly shipping, which relatively reduces the damage to the environment.

Dr Hasan urged the international community to ratify the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) treaty and allocate funds to restore ocean biodiversity.

The foreign ministers of Greece, Costa Rica, Cape Verde, Sao Tome and Principe, among others, addressed the panel discussion.