On the occasion of World Ocean Day, General Economics Division (GED), Bangladesh Planning Commission in collaboration with Asian Development Bank (ADB) organized an international conference titled “Ocean Prosperity: Catalyzing Blue Economy in Bangladesh” on 03 July, 2024 at Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC).
Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, MP, Honorable Speaker, Bangladesh National Parliament graced the inaugural session as Chief Guest. Major General Abdus Salam, rcds, psc (retd), MP, Honorable Minister, Ministry of Planning and Md. Shahiduzzaman Sarker, MP, Honorable Minister of State, Ministry of Planning were the Special Guests. Mr. Yingming Yang, Vice President, Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Md. Mahbub Hossain, Cabinet Secretary, Cabinet Division were present as the Guest of Honor. Dr. Md. Kawser Ahmed, Member (Secretary), General Economics Division (GED) chaired the session and Dr. Edimon Ginting, Country Director, Asian Development Bank (ADB) gave the Vote of Thanks.
After the inaugural session, the conference had one plenary session, six thematic sessions and one youth session where as the chief guests, Hon’ble Ministers of the Cabinet respectively Hon’ble Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hon’ble Minister, Ministry of Education and Economic Adviser to the Honorable Prime Minister and among the Ministers of State, Hon’ble Minister of State, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Hon’ble Minister of State, Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources and Hon’ble Minister of State, Ministry of Shipping participated.
About 1,500 representatives including the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary, Principal Coordinator (SDG affairs), Prime Minister’s Office, Senior Secretaries/Secretaries of relevant ministries/ divisions, high-ranking officials including representatives of diplomatic missions and development partner organizations of various countries, teachers of various universities, private sector and mass media persons participated in the conference. A total of 13 delegates/international experts from 10 countries participated in the conference, including 02 online.
