Dhaka, 15 May 2023 (TDI): The United States (US), represented by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs (SCA), Afreen Akhter, reiterated its strong commitment to the Indian Ocean region during her address at the Sixth Indian Ocean Conference in Dhaka.
The conference, attended by esteemed guests, including Prime Minister Hasina and Foreign Minister Momen of Bangladesh, focused on collective action and partnership to address key challenges in the region.
Recognizing the pressing issues faced by the Indian Ocean region, such as climate change, food security challenges, maritime security, and public health crises, Deputy Assistant Secretary Akhter emphasized the need for collaboration and cooperation to achieve a shared positive vision for the region. “The United States stands ready to work with friends, partners, and allies to address these challenges collectively,” she added.
One of the key areas of focus highlighted by Deputy Assistant Secretary Akhter was climate change. The US recognizes the acute impact of the climate crisis in the Indian Ocean region and is committed to providing support and resources to address this pressing issue.
The government plans to allocate $165 million for programs addressing climate change adaptation and mitigation across the region, with a particular emphasis on clean energy transition.
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Highlighting ongoing initiatives, Deputy Assistant Secretary Akhter mentioned the US investments in clean energy projects, such as a $500 million investment in solar power production in India and a $17 million program in Bangladesh to expand access to affordable clean energy.
Additionally, the US is actively engaged in collaborating with regional partners to tackle plastic pollution, develop climate-smart agriculture, and build resilience to the effects of climate change.
The US also expressed its commitment to supporting the region’s resilience and prosperity by responding to crises and making long-term investments. Acknowledging the importance of health systems, the US has provided over 265 million safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine doses across the Indo-Pacific region, including 161 million doses to Bangladesh.
Furthermore, the US has extended economic assistance and financing to countries like Sri Lanka to address economic crises and catalyze private investment. Deputy Assistant Secretary Akhter stressed the significance of collective action and regional integration in the Indian Ocean region.
In this regard, she highlighted the potential of regional architectures such as BIMSTEC and SAARC to unlock economic prosperity and transform the economies of South Asian Indian Ocean nations. The US emphasized its support for such regional groupings and will actively participate in the Indian Ocean Rim Association’s Strategic Dialogue to promote collaboration and address the climate crisis.
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In closing, Deputy Assistant Secretary Akhter expressed gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the conference and affirmed that the perspectives and voices shared during the event would guide the US efforts in building a prosperous, peaceful, free, and open Indian Ocean Region.
About the 6th Indian Ocean Conference
For the information, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, inaugurated the two-day 6th Indian Ocean Conference (IOC) in Dhaka with the aim of strengthening cooperation among the countries of the region. The conference, organized by the India Foundation in association with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, took place at a city hotel.
The sixth edition of the conference saw the participation of ministerial-level delegations from at least 25 countries. Bangladesh, as the current chair of the Indian Ocean Rim Association, expected the conference to address the problems and challenges faced by the Indian Ocean region and provide recommendations for future work plans in the area.
The conference was attended by Mauritius President Prithvirajsing Roopun, Vice-President of Maldives Faisal Nassem, External Affairs Minister of India Dr. S Jaishankar, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister of Foreign Affairs of Singapore Dr. Maliki Osman, among others. Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen spoke virtually, while State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam was present at the event.
The conference, held under the theme “Peace, Prosperity and Partnership for a Resilient Future,” aimed to bring together key stakeholders to chart the roadmap for strengthening the Indian Ocean Region. Over 150 foreign guests, including representatives from D8, Saarc, and Bimstec, participated in the conference.
It is worth noting that Myanmar was not invited to the conference. In addition to the conference sessions, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina hosted a dinner in honor of the guests.
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The Indian Ocean Conference (IOC), which started in 2016, has emerged as the flagship consultative forum for countries in the region to discuss regional affairs. The conference seeks to foster regional cooperation for Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) by bringing together critical states and principal maritime partners of the region on a common platform.
