ED: Developing the blue economy through scientific research

There is little to argue about the fact that, as Bangladesh looks to climb the rungs of the economic ladder and achieve its short-term and long-term ambitions, it must be pro-active in seeking newer avenues that will take us forward.

To that end, it is encouraging to hear the words of Ambassador Rabab Fatima, the permanent representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations in New York, who stressed on the need for Bangladesh to maximize the potential of its blue economy, which in recent times has surely emerged as one of the most important development frontiers for Bangladesh.

Indeed, for such a densely populated country such as Bangladesh, for which land resources are scarce, its marine resources will play an extremely important role in the future.

However, while scientific research in the deep sea is the natural goal, Ambassador Fatima’s words must be heeded, where she has called upon partnering with experienced organizations such as the International Seabed Authority (ISA) and other such stakeholders in conducting joint research in the deep sea. 

This will allow Bangladesh to be able to make the most out of its research capabilities, while also being able to reach areas beyond national jurisdiction and in ISA controlled areas.

What is also extremely important is that as initiatives get greenlit for further deep seabed research, developing countries such as Bangladesh must also be aided, in the form of capacity building and technical assistance, so that they are not left behind on this matter.

Bangladesh is already investing to build capacity in order to effectively manage its marine resources, and maximizing the potential of this crucial sector will go a long way towards helping the country achieve its ultimate goal of becoming a developed country by 2041.