India’s Leadership in Bay of Bengal Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO)
Context:
India has assumed the chairmanship of the Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO) from Bangladesh at the 13th Governing Council Meeting in Malé, Maldives.
Relevance:
GS-02 (International Relations)
What is BOBP-IGO?
- Established in 2003 to promote sustainable fisheries and marine resource management among Bay of Bengal littoral nations.
- Member Countries: India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives.
- Objective: Enhancing regional cooperation for small-scale fisheries, policy advocacy, research, and capacity-building initiatives.
- Global Collaborations: Works with FAO, SEAFDEC, UNODC, and other international organisations.
Key Focus Areas:
- Addressing Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing.
- Promoting ecosystem-based fisheries management (EAFM).
- Strengthening blue economy initiatives.
- Enhancing marine biodiversity conservation.
- Facilitating training & technology exchange for sustainable fishing practices.
What is the significance of India’s leadership role in the BOBP-IGO?
- Strengthening fisheries policies and small-scale fisheries (SSF) development.
- Promoting regional economic growth while ensuring marine conservation.
- Aligning BOBP-IGO’s initiatives with ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ goals for sustainable economic development.
