Dhaka: Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus announced that the Maheshkhali Integrated Development Authority (MIDA) and Japan’s Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at conserving oceans and protecting marine fisheries. This agreement, witnessed by Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna, signifies a pivotal step towards enhancing cooperation in fisheries and marine affairs to support a sustainable blue economy.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud bin Harun, Executive Chairman of MIDA, and Professor Mitsutaku Makino, President of the Ocean Policy Research Institute (OPRI) of SPF, signed the MoU. The agreement will be formally endorsed by SPF President Dr. Atsushi Sunami in the coming weeks. The ceremony was attended by key figures, including Dr. Emadul Islam, Senior Research Fellow at OPRI, and Commodore Tanzim Faruq, Member of MIDA.
The Chief Adviser stressed the critical importance of ocean conservation, mentioning the alarming pollution levels and the presence of plastic waste deep in the sea. He highlighted the Sasakawa Peace Foundation’s reputation in marine research and expressed optimism about the involvement of the Marine Science Institute of Chittagong University in this collaboration. The MoU will also aid MIDA in developing three model fishing villages in Maheshkhali, following the Umigyo approach.
Under this MoU, MIDA and SPF will collaborate on adopting Japan’s blue economy models in mariculture and fisheries, focusing on post-harvest management and seafood processing. The partnership will guide integrated coastal livelihoods, safety at sea, and sustainable local economic development, while also establishing communication systems between fishing communities and the government.
The collaboration includes conducting baseline studies on fisheries resources and coastal tourism potential. Infrastructure development, such as jetties and seafood processing facilities, will be a key area of cooperation. Training programs will cover deep-sea fishing operations, seafood handling, and export diversification, aiming to improve quality control, hygiene, and labor standards.
Professor Mitsutaku Makino, President of OPRI, expressed hope that this partnership would strengthen Japan-Bangladesh relations and contribute to the sustainable development of coastal communities. MIDA Executive Chairman Ashik Chowdhury emphasized the alignment of values between MIDA and SPF, noting the potential to scale up strategies for the Bay of Bengal.
The MoU was signed during the ‘Northeast Indian Ocean Regional Dialogue on Sustainable Blue Economy, Connectivity, and Resilience for Small Island Developing States (SIDS)’, held at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel. The event, organized by OPRI, MIDA, and Peace and Policy Solutions, brought together senior policymakers and experts from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and India’s Andaman and Nicobar Islands.