Dhaka: Describing the Indo-Pacific’s maritime corridors as vital for global trade, speakers at the Bay of Bengal Conversation conference have sought collaborative approaches, including ASEAN’s maritime security initiatives and the Quad’s naval cooperation, to promote stability for safeguarding these economic lifelines.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Indo-Pacific’s maritime corridors are increasingly fraught with security challenges, from territorial disputes to piracy and environmental threats, as discussed at a plenary session on ‘Turbulent Waters: Navigating Maritime Security in a Divided Indo-Pacific’. The session highlighted security issues, such as tensions in the South China Sea and illegal fishing in the Bay of Bengal.
The second-day session took place as part of the three-day Bay of Bengal Conversation conference that began on November 16 at Hotel Sonargaon. Today’s session featured several symposiums, plenary sessions, and conversations. The Centre for Governance Studies (CGS), a non
-government think-tank, is organizing the conference.
This year’s Bay of Bengal Conversation is focusing on contemporary issues divided into five key thematic pillars: Freedom of the Press and the Rising Spread of Misinformation, Green Energy and Climate Change, Global Trade and Economic Issues, the Landscape of Global Conflict and Geopolitics, and Human Rights. Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus addressed the inaugural session of the Bay of Bengal Conversation-2024.
The conference will host 200 speakers, 300 representatives, and 800 guests in 77 sessions. Three conversations titled ‘Money Trails and Broken Promises: Fighting Corruption in Public Service’, ‘Choking on Progress: Air Quality and Fossil Fuel, Dilemmas in a Growing Indo-Pacific’ and ‘Supply Chain Disruptions: Navigating Economic Recovery in a Fragile World’ were already held today. Additionally, Moussa Mara, former Prime Minister of Mali and a member of Club de Madrid, gave a special address.
Another plenary session on ‘Power Shifts: The G
eopolitical Chessboard in a Fragmented World’ took place, where speakers indicated that the Indo-Pacific is at the center of a global power struggle. They noted China’s growing military presence in the South China Sea raises alarm among neighboring nations, while India’s expanding influence is seen as a counterbalance to China’s dominance. The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) between the U.S., Japan, Australia, and India is highlighted as a key strategic response to China’s assertiveness.
Today’s programs also included plenary sessions on ‘Breaking the News: Freedom of the Press vs. Weaponised Information’ and ‘Fortifying Institutions in an Age of Populism, Strategies for Democratic Resilience and Integrity’. Furthermore, symposia on topics such as ‘Beyond the Belt and Road: China’s Strategic Ambitions and the Future of BRICS’, ‘Emerging Threats: Hybrid Warfare and the Future of Global Security’, and ‘The New Global Marketplace: Economic Power, Trade Wars and Cooperation’ were held.