Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday highlighted the urgent need for ocean conservation and the promotion of a sustainable blue economy, noting that although the ocean is one of Bangladesh’s greatest assets, it is facing growing pollution.
He made the remarks while witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Maheshkhali Integrated Development Authority (MIDA) and Japan’s Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF) at State Guest House Jamuna, according to the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing.
The MoU was signed by Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud bin Harun, Executive Chairman of MIDA and Professor Mitsutaku Makino, President of Ocean Policy Research Institute (OPRI) of SPF, in the presence of Prof Yunus.
The agreement will be formally endorsed by SPF President Dr Atsushi Sunami in the coming weeks.
Speaking after the signing, Prof Yunus said, “Our ocean is a major asset, yet it is increasingly polluted,” adding that plastic waste has now been found several thousand metres deep in the sea.
He expressed hope that the partnership would contribute to protecting marine ecosystems and keeping the seas clean.
Emphasising the importance of the collaboration, the Chief Adviser said Bangladesh must safeguard its marine resources.
He described the Sasakawa Peace Foundation as a globally respected institution in marine research and said its involvement would significantly strengthen Bangladesh’s research initiatives.
He added that the Marine Science Institute of Chittagong University would remain closely connected with SPF, with the scope of joint research gradually expanding.
Under the MoU, SPF will support MIDA in developing three villages in Maheshkhali as model fishing villages based on the Umigyo concept, which focuses on marine industry–based community development.
As the interim government’s dedicated agency for coastal development and strategic infrastructure in Maheshkhali and beyond, MIDA will work with SPF to advance national priorities in fisheries and marine affairs, involving coordination with more than 20 ministries, departments and agencies.
The Sasakawa Peace Foundation, one of the world’s largest independent philanthropic organisations, has a long-standing commitment to maritime policy, disaster risk reduction and inclusive development across the Indo-Pacific region.
The MoU outlines cooperation in several areas, including feasibility studies on adopting Japanese blue economy models in mariculture, fisheries, post-harvest management, seafood processing and the welfare of fishing communities. The partnership will also focus on Umigyo-based initiatives such as integrated coastal livelihoods, safety at sea, community-based marine resource management, sustainable local economic development and two-way communication between fishing communities and the government.
In addition, baseline studies on fisheries resources and coastal tourism potential will be conducted. Infrastructure development; including jetties, automated fish landing facilities, cold-chain and transport logistics, seafood processing plants and market-chain development, will be another major component of the collaboration.
Training programmes will also be implemented in areas such as deep-sea fishing, seafood handling and preservation, mariculture, technology transfer for value-added products, export diversification, investment facilitation, disaster management, safety at sea, quality control, hygiene, working conditions and labour standards.
Professor Mitsutaku Makino said the partnership offers a valuable opportunity to work closely with the Government of Bangladesh to promote an integrated and sustainable blue economy, particularly in the fisheries sector.
He expressed optimism that the collaboration would further strengthen Japan–Bangladesh relations and contribute to the welfare and sustainable development of coastal communities.
MIDA Executive Chairman Ashik Chowdhury said the authority is committed to preserving traditional coastal livelihoods while creating new economic opportunities.
“This partnership with SPF aligns vision, values and action. It will help Bangladesh scale up the science, strategy and systems needed to unlock the potential of the Bay of Bengal,” he said.
The MoU was signed on the sidelines of the high-level ‘Northeast Indian Ocean Regional Dialogue on Sustainable Blue Economy, Connectivity and Resilience for Small Island Developing States (SIDS)’, held at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka from January 13 to 14, 2026.
The two-day dialogue is jointly organised by OPRI of SPF, MIDA and Peace and Policy Solutions (Bangladesh), with senior policymakers, experts and development partners from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the Maldives and India’s Andaman and Nicobar Islands in attendance.
Dr Emadul Islam, Senior Research Fellow at OPRI and Commodore Tanzim Faruq, Member of MIDA, were also present at the event.
SH
