India Assumes Chairmanship of Bay of Bengal Inter-Governmental Organisation

India has officially assumed the Chairmanship of the Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO) from Bangladesh during the 13th Governing Council Meeting in Malé, Maldives. This transition was observed by representatives from Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Bangladesh, and occurred during the conference on “Policy Guidance for Mainstreaming Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) in Small-Scale Fisheries.” The event took place from February 20 to 22, 2025, and was organized by the Ministry of Fisheries & Ocean Resources of the Maldives in partnership with BOBP-IGO.

Leading India’s delegation, Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary of the Department of Fisheries, Government of India, assumed the Chairmanship and reiterated India’s dedication to sustainable fisheries, regional collaboration, and the welfare of small-scale fishers. Under India’s guidance, BOBP-IGO will prioritize marine resource management, capacity building, research, policy advocacy, and addressing Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing. This leadership is in line with India’s national vision of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’, which aims to foster economic growth while ensuring environmental sustainability.