B Mirror Report : Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, Executive Chairman of the Maheshkhali Integrated Development Authority (MIDA), has stated that the government is committed to establishing a strong foundation for Bangladesh’s future economic growth.

Speaking as the chief guest at a two-day Northeast Indian Ocean Regional Dialogue on Sustainable Blue Economy, Connectivity, and Resilience for SIDS, held at a city hotel, Ashik Chowdhury emphasized the interim administration’s responsibility to provide a functional platform for the incoming government.

Organized by the Ocean Policy Research Institute (OPRI) and Sasakawa Peace Foundation, in collaboration with MIDA and Peace and Policy Solutions (PPS), the dialogue brought together policymakers, researchers, and maritime experts.

Highlighting Bangladesh’s resource disparity, he noted that while the country’s land area is around 130,000 sq km, its maritime region in the Bay of Bengal spans 164,000 sq km. Yet, less than one-tenth of resources and attention are devoted to maritime issues such as deep-sea fishing, disaster management, and environmental conservation compared to land-based priorities.

Ashik Chowdhury expressed hope that the dialogue would lay the groundwork for the future government to maximize maritime wealth and generate employment for coastal communities.

Speaking at the event, OPRI President Professor Mitsutaku Makino underlined the urgent need to address climate change impacts, including rising sea levels, intensifying cyclones, coral bleaching, and coastal erosion, which directly threaten the livelihoods and economies of millions dependent on the ocean. He also highlighted the strategic significance of the Indian Ocean for global trade and Japan’s energy imports.

MIDA Member Commodore Tanzim Faruque emphasized Maheshkhali’s transformation vision, aiming to develop the area into a flagship industrial hub with world-class infrastructure, economic zones, and sustainable urban planning over the next 30 years.

Dr. Emadul Islam, Senior Research Fellow at OPRI, presented the keynote, describing the ocean as the “lifeblood of the global economy,” providing oxygen, food, and climate regulation for billions. He warned of rising sea levels, increasing underwater temperatures, species extinction, coral reef degradation, and escalating plastic pollution, predicting that the Bay of Bengal could become a “plastic soup” within 20 years if current trends continue.

Dr. Islam stressed the importance of inclusive policymaking, ensuring that coastal communities’ voices are considered in shaping sustainable ocean management strategies.

The two-day dialogue aims to strengthen regional cooperation on blue economy, resilience, and sustainable development in South Asia’s maritime sector.