Which of the following countries assumed the Chairmanship of the Bay of Bengal Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO) in 2025?​

Correct option is A

The correct answer is (a) India

• India assumed the Chairmanship of the Bay of Bengal Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO) from Bangladesh during the 13th Governing Council Meeting held in Malé, Maldives on February 21, 2025.

• The event was part of the high-level conference titled "Policy Guidance for Mainstreaming Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) in Small-Scale Fisheries", hosted by the Ministry of Fisheries & Ocean Resources of the Maldives government in collaboration with BOBP-IGO.

• The Indian delegation was led by Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary of the Department of Fisheries, Government of India.

• India pledged to strengthen regional cooperation in marine resource management, training and capacity building, research and policy advocacy, and addressing Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Information Booster:

• BOBP-IGO was established in 2003 as a regional fisheries body to promote sustainable fisheries management and aquaculture development in the Bay of Bengal region.

• Member countries include India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. Cooperating non-contracting parties are Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Thailand.

• The organization focuses on enhancing livelihoods and improving the quality of life for small-scale and artisanal fisherfolk in the Bay of Bengal region.