Rabab Fatima, Bangladesh’s permanent representative to the United Nations, has sought the cooperation of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) to take full advantage of its seabed resources.
Rabab Fatima made the call while addressing the 26th Annual Session of the ISA in Kingston, Jamaica on Tuesday (14 December). She attended the three-day session at the invitation of Secretary-General Michael W. Lodge. The session was attended by a significant number of permanent representatives and delegates from the member countries of the organisation.
Rabab Fatima said Bangladesh needs increased cooperation from the ISA to take full advantage of its seabed resources. Through this, Bangladesh will benefit in the field of scientific research, capacity building and will gain access to related technology in the deep sea.
She said that the vast and undiscovered resources of the seabed have immense potential, which could transform the lives and livelihoods of millions of people, including Bangladesh.
In her speech, she highlighted the Vision 2041 taken by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to make Bangladesh a developed and prosperous country and stressed ensuring equitable sharing of financial benefits from seabed resources to make this progress more dynamic. At the same time, the Ambassador emphasised facilitating public-private sector investment under the sea in Bangladesh.
The permanent representative of the United Nations also emphasized the importance of protecting the marine environment while searching for minerals from the seabed. In this regard, she raised the issue of the recently enacted Bangladesh Maritime Zones Act for the effective use, conservation, and protection of the marine environment and its resources.
