Dhaka, 20 May 2021: Secretary (Maritime Affairs Unit) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Rear Admiral (Retd) Md. Khurshed Alam has been elected as the Chairperson of the IOC Regional Committee for the Central Indian Ocean (IOCINDIO) for the term May 2021-May 2023 on Wednesday, 19 May 2021 during the final day of the virtual meeting of the Eighth Session of the IOC Regional Committee for the Central Indian Ocean (IOCINDIO-VIII), held on 17-19 May 2021.

This comes as a true recognition of the trust and confidence of the International Community on the outstanding career and eminent qualifications of Admiral Alam to preside over the Regional Committee. Mentionable that Dr. Saif Mohammed AlGhais from United Arab Emirates and Ms. Maryam Ghaemi from Islamic Republic of Iran were also elected as the Vice-Chairpersons during the session.

The IOCINDIO was established in 1982. Presently it has 19 members namely, Australia, Bangladesh, France, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, UAE and UK. IOCINDIO is recognized as a facilitator in the Indian Ocean region to promote ocean knowledge, sustained observations and services through continued improvement of ocean governance towards a healthy ocean and to ensure sustainable prosperity in the region.

IOCINDIO-VIII meeting discussed new projects and programs; and agreed that there is increasing recognition and understanding of the reliance of humankind on the vital life-supporting services provided by the ocean. The High-Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy considers the ocean as a source of solutions for climate change mitigation and for many dimensions of a sustainable ocean economy including the future of food and energy. The ocean also furnishes unquantifiable aesthetic, cultural and recreational services that are essential to human wellbeing.

Mentionable, Bangladesh is also an active member of the IOCWESTPAC Sub-Commission and recently hosted the 13th Intergovernmental Session of the IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific (WESTPAC-XIII)”, held virtually on 27-29 April, 2021.