- MIDA and Japan’s Sasakawa Peace Foundation partner on blue economy research to support fisheries, marine policy, and ocean sustainability.
- Focus on marine education, skills, and job-ready training to prepare students and professionals for blue economy careers.
- Universities gain global research exposure and capacity building through international collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Bangladesh has taken a key step toward strengthening its blue economy by signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Japan’s Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF). The agreement aims to promote cooperation in fisheries, marine research, and ocean sustainability, with a strong focus on education, skills development, and future jobs.
The MoU was signed by Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud bin Harun, Executive Chairman of the Maheshkhali Integrated Development Authority (MIDA), and Professor Mitsutaku Makino, President of the Ocean Policy Research Institute (OPRI) under SPF. The signing ceremony took place at the State Guest House Jamuna, in the presence of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus.
Under the agreement, both sides will work together to strengthen marine education and research. The partnership will help develop skilled human resources in fisheries management, marine science, and ocean policy. Students, researchers, and professionals in Bangladesh are expected to benefit from knowledge exchange, joint research, and exposure to global best practices.
Professor Yunus highlighted the urgent need to protect the ocean, calling it one of the country’s most valuable natural assets. He noted that pollution, especially plastic waste, has reached deep into the sea and poses a serious threat to marine life and livelihoods. He said the collaboration would support research and practical solutions to keep the ocean clean and sustainable.
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He also said SPF’s global expertise in marine research would add strong value to Bangladesh’s academic institutions. The Marine Science Institute of Chittagong University will stay closely connected with SPF, and the research partnership will grow over time.
The agreement will receive formal approval from SPF President Atsushi Sunami in the coming weeks, marking a new chapter in Bangladesh–Japan cooperation on marine education and blue economy skills.
