Pakistan’s naval chief attends Indian Ocean conclave in Thailand, discusses blue economy development

ISLAMABAD: Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf attended the 8th Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) Conclave in Thailand, said a statement by Directorate General Public Relations of the Pakistan Navy on Tuesday, where he attended discussions on maritime security cooperation in the region in the development of blue economy.
The forum was inaugurated in 2008 amid growing recognition of the Indian Ocean’s significance for the international energy and economic security.
Pakistan joined the forum in 2014 and has since utilized it to work with the naval forces of other nations.
According to the official statement, the naval chief held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from various countries, including Qatar, Oman, Iran, Thailand, Russia, France and the United Kingdom to discuss matters of mutual interests.
“Admiral Naveed Ashraf focused on [Pakistan Navy’s] contributions to regional maritime security and emphasized on collaboration between the regional navies,” the statement continued.
“He also stressed upon greater collaboration between Indian Ocean countries to exploit potentials of blue economy,” it added.
The term blue economy refers to the sustainable and integrated use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs while preserving the health of ocean ecosystems.
It encompasses a wide range of economic sectors and related policies that together determine whether the use of oceanic resources is sustainable.
The naval directorate’s official statement noted Pakistan had proactively utilized the forum since it provided the platform to the participating nations to work together for regional peace and maritime security through a collaborative approach.
Pakistan has also been jointly building the Gwadar deep-sea port in the southeast of the country with Chinese assistance to tap the economic potential of the landlocked Central Asian countries by providing them the shortest possible access to the sea and enjoy the benefits of greater regional connectivity.