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IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific (WESTPAC)

Advancing knowledge and cooperation for a healthy ocean and prosperous society

WESTPAC welcomes Bangladesh

Bangladesh has become the 22nd Member State of the IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific (WESTPAC).

Dr Vladimir Ryabinin, the newly appointed Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), made the announcement at the 10th Intergovernmental Session in Phuket on 13 May.

Dr Shahadat Hossain, IOC delegate and director of the Institute of Marine Sciences and Fisheries from the University of Chittagong in Bangladesh, expressed his enthusiasm about the country joining the grouping.

“We believe that joining WESTPAC will be of great help to advance our knowledge on our coasts and ocean, which can further underpin the development of a ‘blue economy’,” he said. A blue economy is one that benefits from ocean resources in a sustainable manner.

Mr Hossain said Bangladesh would be interested joint research projects to advance the goal of a blue economy, which he believes could result in improved food security, poverty eradication and job creation, while preserving ecosystems.