The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) in Pakistan, with the support of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Pakistan, has facilitated the participation of a Pakistani delegation in a 14-day Seminar on Marine Sustainable Development in Xiamen, China, under the China Aid Programme. In a statement, FAO said the seminar is aimed at strengthening international cooperation and enhancing technical capacity in sustainable marine resource management and ocean governance.
Organised by the Fujian Institute of Oceanography, the event has brought together 33 participants from seven countries and reflects growing collaboration between China and partner countries on blue economy development and sustainable use of marine resources. “The seminar brings together participants to strengthen cooperation and technical capacity on sustainable marine resource management and ocean governance,” the statement said, according to a Gwadar Pro’s report on Tuesday. The Pakistani delegation includes Tariq Qamar Baloch, Secretary of the Fisheries and Coastal Development Department of Balochistan; Dr. Kanwar Muhammad Javed Iqbal, Senior Policy Specialist and Focal Person for Blue Economy at FAO; and researchers Komal Shabbir and Wajih ur Rehman from the National Institute of Maritime Affairs.
The participation of Balochistan’s Fisheries and Coastal Development Department is particularly significant given the province’s vast coastline and the growing strategic and economic importance of coastal areas including Gwadar.
The seminar is expected to help Pakistani officials and researchers gain international experience and technical insights into sustainable coastal management, marine resource governance and blue economy development that could support ongoing development initiatives along Balochistan’s coast.