Maritime verdict creates new opportunity: PM
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has extended her heartiest thanks to the UN for its Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) saying the verdict of the UN body to resolve maritime dispute with Myanmar has created a new era of opportunity for Bangladesh to prosper.
She told a discussion on the Commemoration Ceremony of the 30th anniversary of the UNCLOS at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital yesterday. The foreign affairs ministry organised the event.
She said the ocean related regulations are helping the countries establishing fundamental rules and principles to share maritime spaces and use the sea and its huge resources.
Referring to the peaceful settlement of the dispute with Myanmar on the maritime boundary in the UNCLOS, she said the resolution has given Bangladesh immense opportunity to explore the vast potentials of the sea for its economic progress.
Highlighting the plan to explore the maritime resources, she said her government has taken initiative for declaring a zone in the Bay of the Bengal as "Maritime Protected Area". The government also has taken steps for creating efficient manpower for research on maritime resources, she said.
She said the government has taken initiative for setting up an army camp in Cox's Bazar and construct an airbase for protection of the sea resources.
"Our seashore and off-shore areas are blessed with vast resources including salt, fisheries, natural beauties and valuable minerals. We have to protect the resources and ensure their proper utilisation for our development," she said.
Foreign Minister Dipu Moni, its Additional Secretary Khurshid Alam, Chairman of Bangladesh Law Commission Prof Shah Alam, Chairman of Petrobangla Prof M Hossain Monsur, UN Country Representative Neil Walker and acting secretary of the ministry Mostafa Kamal also spoke.
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