The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Pakistan, with support from the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Pakistan, has enabled a Pakistani delegation to take part in a 14-day seminar on marine sustainable development in Xiamen, China. This initiative is part of the China Aid Programme.
Seminar Objectives and Collaboration
According to an FAO statement, the seminar aims to strengthen international cooperation and enhance technical capacity in sustainable marine resource management and ocean governance. Organized by the Fujian Institute of Oceanography, the event has brought together 33 participants from seven countries, highlighting the growing collaboration between China and partner nations on blue economy development and the sustainable use of marine resources.
The statement emphasized that the seminar brings together participants to foster cooperation and build technical capacity in these critical areas, as reported by Gwadar Pro.
Pakistani Delegation Members
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 extensive coastline and the growing strategic and economic importance of coastal areas, including Gwadar.
