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.
Pakistan’s naval chief attends Indian Ocean conclave in Thailand, discusses blue economy development
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Pakistan’s naval chief attends Indian Ocean conclave in Thailand, discusses blue economy development
- The Indian Ocean Naval Symposium was inaugurated in 2008 and Pakistan began to proactively utilize it since 2014
- The forum was set up in recognition of the Indian Ocean’s growing significance for global energy and trade security
Pakistani art and culture festival opens in Dubai
- Festival features traditional and contemporary Pakistani art and crafts
- Event follows recent Pakistan-linked cultural exhibitions in the UAE
ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani art and culture festival opened in Dubai on Saturday, bringing together traditional and contemporary artistic expressions as part of efforts to promote Pakistan’s cultural heritage on an international platform.
The festival, held at the Dubai International Art Center, is a continuation of similar cultural events arranged by Pakistan in the Gulf state. The event features works by Pakistani artists and cultural vendors offering traditional clothing, jewelry and handcrafted items.
“UAE provides unique spaces and opportunities where diverse cultures converge, interact and are celebrated,” Pakistan’s Consul General Hussain Muhammad said, according to an official statement, after inaugurating the event.
“Art serves as an important instrument of soft diplomacy, helping project Pakistan’s positive image to the world and fostering people-to-people connections,” he added.
Pakistani participation in UAE cultural spaces has included artists featured at Art Dubai 2025, one of the Middle East’s major international art fairs, where Pakistani creatives exhibited works spanning modern and contemporary sections.
In 2025, Pakistani artists also presented their work at an exhibition in Ajman that highlighted Pakistan’s cultural heritage, drawing art lovers and diplomats alike.
Last year also saw an exhibition in Dubai that displayed the work of Pakistan’s late painter and calligrapher Sadequain, giving audiences in the UAE a chance to engage with the legacy of one of the country’s most iconic artists.
