Role of sustainable development in BIMSTEC maritime security and blue economy framework

Abstract

The blue economy agenda has emerged as a priority area for the BIMSTEC yet the interlinking of sustainable development with maritime security is not evident in the regional community. With priority areas focusing on tourism, fishing, energy, connectivity and trade, the role of maritime security and blue economy would be critical to achieving success for the BIMSTEC nations. The Bay is also the entry point for the Indian Ocean region and lies in the middle of South Asia and Southeast Asia, highlighting its economic importance for the region as a whole. The chapter focuses on the key interlinkages between sustainable development and security in the maritime domain of the Bay of Bengal. The chapter emphasises the importance of traditional security apparatus to achieve non-traditional security threats such as illegal fishing, tackle climate change and achieve sustainable development. The chapter discusses the possible sustainable development aspects the BIMSTEC blue economy agenda could prioritise in the coming decade. The chapter also briefly examines how BIMSTEC as a regional platform could respond to the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis for its blue economy agenda and its coastal communities.