Shehab Munawar: A day-long international conference on “Sustainable Blue Economy for the Development of Bangladesh” was held today April 24, 2019 at Dhaka University (DU) Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban auditorium. DU Oceanography Department, Blue Economy Cell of the Govt., Bangladesh Institute of Maritime Research and Development (BIMRAD) and GreenTech jointly organized this conference.
Presided over by DU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Md. Akhtaruzzaman the inaugural function of the conference was addressed by Planning Minister M. A. Mannan, MP as chief guest. Prof. Dr. Md. Kawser Ahmed of DU Oceanography Department delivered the keynote speech. The function was also addressed by Deputy Head of Mission of German Embassy Mr. Michael Schultheiss, Executive Director of GreenTech Foundation Bangladesh Lutfor Rahman and Chairman of DU Oceanography Department Md. Jobaer Alam.
Planning Minister M. A. Mannan said, Bay of Bengal has enormous resources but we have no adequate ideas and information about these resources. We need extensive survey and research to ensure sustainable development through proper utilization of the potentials of the sea and marine resources. Teachers and students of DU Oceanography Department would come forward with specific plans and projects to explore marine resources, the Minister hoped.
DU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Md. Akhtaruzzaman emphasized on undertaking collaborative survey and research activities to explore seabed resources for achieving sustainable blue economy in Bangladesh. He called upon the students, researchers and academicians of DU Oceanography Department to work together with Bangladesh Navy in this regard. He also stressed the need for framing ‘Ocean Policy’.
Mr. Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, MP, State Minister, Ministry of Shipping and Md. Asraf Ali Khan Khasru, MP, State Minister, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock also attended two separate sessions of the conference.
It may be mentioned that academicians, researchers and professionals from home and abroad participated in the conference.
