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Bay of Bengal Inter-Governmental Organisation

India assumed the Chairmanship of the Bay of Bengal Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO) from Bangladesh at the 13th Governing Council Meeting in Malé, Maldives, on February 21, 2025. This transition is expected to bolster regional cooperation in marine fisheries management, ecosystem conservation, and small-scale fisheries development across member nations.

India’s Chairmanship of BOBP-IGO

  • Event Details: India took over the leadership at the 13th Governing Council Meeting held in Malé, Maldives, during the high-level conference on ecosystem-based fisheries management.
  • Conference Host: The event was organized by the Ministry of Fisheries & Ocean Resources of the Maldives in collaboration with BOBP-IGO from February 20 to 22, 2025.

About Bay of Bengal Inter-Governmental Organisation

  • Establishment: The organisation was formed in 2003 as a regional fisheries body.
  • Purpose: It focuses on enhancing livelihood opportunities and improving the quality of life for small-scale and artisanal fisherfolk in the Bay of Bengal region.
  • Evolution: It originated from the Bay of Bengal Programme of the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 1979.
  • Significance: The organisation has set international standards for small-scale fisheries development, leading to tangible benefits for member countries.
  • Member Countries: The current members include Bangladesh, India, Maldives, and Sri Lanka, while Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Thailand participate as cooperating non-contracting parties.

Objectives of BOBP-IGO

  • Marine Fisheries Management: Promote awareness and best practices for sustainable marine resource utilization.
  • Skill Development: Provide training, education, and technology transfer to improve small-scale fisheries.
  • Information Sharing: Establish a regional information network to facilitate knowledge exchange.
  • Women’s Empowerment: Encourage women’s participation in the fisheries value chain.

Focus Areas for Regional Cooperation

  • Marine Resource Management: Strengthening conservation efforts and sustainable exploitation of marine resources.
  • Capacity Building: Conducting training programs to enhance technical skills in fisheries management.
  • Research & Policy Advocacy: Supporting scientific studies and policy recommendations for the fisheries sector.
  • Combating Illegal Fishing: Addressing the issue of Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing in the region.
  • Regional Issue Resolution: Promoting diplomatic collaboration to resolve maritime disputes and fisheries-related conflicts.

Expected Impact

The enhanced regional cooperation under India’s leadership is anticipated to boost the blue economy, integrate economic growth with marine conservation, and contribute to poverty reduction among fishing communities in the Bay of Bengal region.

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