India becomes chairman of BOB Inter-Governmental Organisation

India has become the Chairman of the regional Bay of Bengal (BOB) Programme  Inter-Governmental Organisation. India assumed the Chairmanship from Bangladesh at the 13th Governing Council Meeting of the Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation at Male, Maldives.

Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary, Department of Fisheries, Government of India, formally assumed the Chairmanship of the Organisation at Male, Maldives.

The Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation meeting was held in Maldives from 20-22 February 2025. 

The Governing Council is the apex decision-making body of the Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation, which meets once a year. 

Meeting in Male, Maldives 

The  13th Governing Council Meeting of the  Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation meeting was held as part of the 'Policy Guidance for Mainstreaming Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) in Small-Scale Fisheries' Conference.

The Ministry of Fisheries & Ocean Resources of the Maldives government organised the high-level conference in collaboration with the Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation.

Representatives of the United Nations  Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) and the Donor countries were also present during the meeting of the 13th Governing Council Meeting of the Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation. 

About the  Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation

The  Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation was set up in 2003.

It was initially established as the Bay of Bengal Programme on 1 April 1979 as the regional fisheries programme of the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation( FAO).

Various donor countries like Germany, Holland, Norway, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark, Japan, Switzerland and  Belgium have funded the programme. 

Function and objectives 

• It is a regional fisheries advisory body for the countries bordering the Bay of Bengal region. 
• Assist the member countries in improving the living standards of the small-scale/ artisanal fisherman.
• It conducts research and development to develop new technologies to improve the skills and management practices of the small-scale fisheries sector in the region.
• It has established a regional information network to disseminate information on the latest advances in the fisheries sector.
• It focuses on promoting women's participation in the fisheries value chain.

Members 

• India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Maldives are the members.
• Malaysia, Indonesia, Myanmar and Thailand are cooperating non-contracting parties.
• Headquarters: Chennai, Tamil Nadu