Male [Maldives]: India has officially assumed the chairmanship of the Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO) during the 13th Governing Council Meeting held in Male, Maldives.
The transition of leadership from Bangladesh to India took place in the presence of senior government representatives from Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Bangladesh, the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying announced.
Strengthening Regional Fisheries Cooperation
This event was part of the high-level conference on “Policy Guidance for Mainstreaming Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) in Small-Scale Fisheries”, which took place from February 20 to 22, 2025, in Lankanfinolhu, Maldives.
Leading the Indian delegation, Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary, Department of Fisheries (GoI), reaffirmed India’s commitment to enhancing regional fisheries development and sustainability. He emphasized India’s role in fostering marine resource management, capacity building, research, and policy advocacy.
Key areas of focus under India’s leadership include:
✅ Sustainable marine resource management
✅ Training & capacity building for fisheries
✅ Combating Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing
✅ Policy advocacy for fisheries development
✅ Enhancing regional cooperation for blue economy growth
India’s Vision for Fisheries Development
Abhilaksh Likhi highlighted that India’s fisheries policies prioritize the well-being of small-scale fisheries (SSF) and sustainable development of marine ecosystems. The Department of Fisheries aims to collaborate with international organizations such as:
🔹 Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
🔹 Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC)
🔹 United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
Through technology exchange, knowledge sharing, and best practices, India aims to strengthen the blue economy, balance economic growth with marine conservation, and contribute to poverty alleviation across the region.
Towards ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’
With this new international leadership role, India is expected to achieve multifaceted advancements in its national goal of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ by fostering sustainable fisheries development and enhancing regional cooperation.
This milestone marks a significant step in India’s commitment to leading maritime and fisheries governance in the Bay of Bengal region, ensuring progress for all member nations.