{"id":7110,"date":"2026-04-15T11:37:27","date_gmt":"2026-04-15T11:37:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pps-global.org\/?p=7110"},"modified":"2026-04-21T11:16:47","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T11:16:47","slug":"event-report-northeast-indian-ocean-regional-dialogue-on-sustainable-blue-economy-connectivity-and-resilience-for-sids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pps-global.org\/index.php\/en\/2026\/04\/15\/event-report-northeast-indian-ocean-regional-dialogue-on-sustainable-blue-economy-connectivity-and-resilience-for-sids\/","title":{"rendered":"Event Report- Northeast Indian Ocean Regional Dialogue on Sustainable Blue Economy, Connectivity, and Resilience for SIDS"},"content":{"rendered":"

Event Report- Northeast Indian Ocean Regional Dialogue on Sustainable Blue Economy, Connectivity, and Resilience for SIDS-<\/strong><\/p>\n

An initiative of Global Synergy Project<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hosted by- Division of Island Nations, Ocean Policy Research Institute<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sasakawa Peace Foundation, Japan<\/strong><\/p>\n

In Collaboration with<\/strong><\/p>\n

Peace and Policy Solutions (PPS) and MIDA-GOB<\/strong><\/p>\n

Date- 13-14, January 2026- Venue- Pan Pacific Sonargoan Hotel, Dhaka, Bangladesh<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Picture of the NIOD-conference delegates-13th<\/sup> January 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Northeast Indian Ocean Regional Dialogue convened high-level delegates and experts to advance dialogue and cooperation on sustainable blue economy development, regional connectivity, and community resilience in Small Island Developing States (SIDS). This gathering is part of the Global Synergy Project<\/em> of Division of Islands Nation, Ocean Policy Research Institute, Sasakawa Peace Foundation, Japan, \u00a0co-hosted by the\u00a0Peace and Policy Solutions (PPS)<\/strong>\u00a0and the\u00a0Maheshkhali Integrated Development Authority (MIDA), Government of Bangladesh.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Participants included representatives from Bangladesh, India (Andaman & Nicobar Islands), Sri Lanka, Maldives, Japan, and the USA. The dialogue sought to address shared challenges of coastal vulnerability, climate-induced loss and damage, marine spatial planning, blue finance, fisheries, and inclusive development for marginalized communities in the Northeast Indian Ocean SIDS region.<\/p>\n

Held over two days, the dialogue featured nine thematic plenary sessions<\/strong>, keynote addresses, and working group discussions that culminated in the development of a \u201cDhaka Statement\u201d<\/strong>\u2014a shared regional roadmap outlining actionable priorities, climate-financing needs, and policy recommendations to support sustainable ocean governance for the SIDS.<\/p>\n

In the inaugural session Welcome Address remarks Professor Mitsutaku Makino<\/strong>, President of OPRI, highlighted Japan\u2019s commitment to a Free and Open Indo-Pacific, stressing the importance of marine stewardship, regional collaboration, and addressing shared environmental threats like coral bleaching, sea-level rise, and plastic pollution.<\/p>\n

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Professor Mitsutaku Makino<\/strong>, President of OPRI-SPF-13th<\/sup> January 2026<\/p>\n

In Chief guest remarks Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun<\/strong>, Executive Chairman of MIDA, emphasized the government’s vision to build a strong foundation for Bangladesh\u2019s future blue economy. He underscored the need to harness the country\u2019s vast maritime resources larger than its landmass and align national efforts with coastal development, job creation, and ecological preservation.<\/p>\n

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Chief guest -Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun<\/strong>, Executive Chairman of MIDA<\/p>\n

Keynote addressed by Dr. Emadul Islam<\/strong>, Senior Research Fellow at OPRI-SPF, described the ocean as the \u201clifeblood of the global economy\u201d and stressed the urgency of inclusive policymaking that reflects the voices of vulnerable communities. He cautioned that the Bay of Bengal could become a “plastic soup” within two decades if current trends continue.<\/p>\n

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Dr. Emadul Islam<\/strong>, Senior Research Fellow at OPRI-SPF<\/p>\n

The first high level plenary session- on Advancing the Sustainable Blue Economy in South Asia\u2019s SIDS and Coastal States<\/strong><\/p>\n

This session explores strategies for strengthening the sustainable blue economy in South Asia\u2019s Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and coastal regions, with a focus on Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and India\u2019s Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Speakers examine the region\u2019s shared vulnerabilities\u2014from climate change to marine resource depletion\u2014and highlight locally grounded initiatives and science-policy interfaces that foster economic resilience and environmental stewardship. The discussion seek to identify regional pathways for collaboration in fisheries, coastal tourism, marine conservation, and community livelihoods to ensure inclusive and sustainable ocean-based development in the Northeast Indian Ocean.<\/p>\n

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Panelists plenary session-1, 13th<\/sup> January 2026<\/p>\n

In Plenary Session 2- title- Connectivity and Regional Integration: Ports and Shipping in the Northeast Indian Ocean<\/strong><\/p>\n

This session covers regional port connectivity and the evolving shipping landscape across the Northeast Indian Ocean. Presentations will spotlight key infrastructure developments, including Bangladesh\u2019s Matarbari Deep Sea Port and its associated Maheshkhali Integrated Development Authority (MIDA) interventions, and Colombo port Sri Lanka as well as India\u2019s Port Blair in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.<\/p>\n

The speakers from across South Asia have called for a paradigm shift in regional maritime integration, emphasising the need for smart ports, indigenous technology, and shared Underwater Domain Awareness (UDA) in the Northeast Indian Ocean.<\/strong><\/p>\n

To get full report, Click to get the final event report<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Media Coverage<\/p>\n

National English News<\/strong><\/p>\n