Among the most untapped resources at our disposal, it is our marine resources that arguably have the most potential. With Bangladesh's position by the Bay of Bengal, there is a whole wealth of resources at our disposal -- and one we are only beginning to make full use of.
To that end, it is encouraging to see the progress we are making on that front, with a regional project comprising other nations in the area in the works -- potentially ushering a new era of not only sustainable usage of marine resources, but also regional cooperation.
Indeed, with how vital the Bay of Bengal is to the lives and livelihoods of millions of people, in addition to being crucial for biodiversity as a result of having mangroves, coral reefs, and seagrass beds, it is good to see international cooperation to maximize the potential of the region.
For Bangladesh, it must do its part, cooperating with the other nations but ultimately, also utilize the vast marine resources it has at its disposal to their full potential. Fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, and shipping are just some of the crucial sectors that can bring significant benefits for Bangladesh, but at the same time, it must work with other nations in the region to curb the overexploitation of marine living resources, degradation of critical habitats, and pollution.
Bangladesh has made a commitment to fulfilling the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 and the economic benefits from sustainable use of marine resources is a critical component of SDG 14 -- Life Below Water. We hope Bangladesh continues on the path of sustainability with regard to all the resources it has at its disposal -- sustainable development must always be the goal.
