Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO)

India has recently assumed the Chairmanship of the Bay of Bengal (BOB) Inter-Governmental Organisation from Bangladesh during the 13th Governing Council Meeting held in Malé, Maldives.

• About BOBP-IGO:
• Establishment: BOBP-IGO is a regional fisheries advisory body comprising member countries bordering the Bay of Bengal.
• Objectives: Promote sustainable management and utilization of coastal and marine fishery resources, and enhance the livelihoods of small-scale fishers in the region.
• Key Activities: Facilitating regional cooperation among member countries → Conducting training and capacity-building programs → Engaging in research and policy advocacy → Addressing issues such as Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.
• Recent Developments: India, as the new Chair, has pledged to strengthen regional collaboration focusing on marine resource management and the protection of marine ecosystems.
• Collaborations: Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC), & the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).