The National Maritime Foundation (NMF) is conducting its Annual Maritime Power Conference-2017 at the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) Auditorium, Development Enclave, New Delhi, on 09-10 February 2017, with the theme ‘The Blue Economy: Concept, Constituents and Development’.

The NMF was established in 2005 to provide a common platform for discourse between maritime-related institutions, organisations and disciplines, within the country and abroad. The Foundation conducts independent academic research and provides policy-relevant recommendations to advance the nation’s maritime goals.

As a part of its charter, NMF endeavours to foster maritime awareness on contemporary issues through academic engagements and towards this end, the Foundation organises an Annual Maritime Power Conference (AMPC).

During the International Fleet Review, 2016, the Hon’ble Prime Minister recalled India’s vision for the Indian Ocean through ‘SAGAR’ (meaning ocean), which stands for ‘Security and Growth for All in the Region’. Later, whilst inaugurating the Maritime India Summit 2016, the Hon’ble Prime Minister articulated his maritime vision for the nation. These events showcased India’s growing maritime power and signalled a clear intent of a resurgent maritime nation.

Taking forward the maritime vision of the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the theme for the Annual Maritime Power Conference -2017 has been chosen as “The Blue Economy: Concept, Constituents and Development”.

The Blue Economy encompasses various traditional marine sectors such as fisheries and aquaculture, shipping, port infrastructure, ship building and repair, island development, seabed exploration, hydrocarbon extraction and marine tourism industry. There are also many emerging sectors in the such as marine renewable energy, deep seabed mining, salt water desalination, marine bio-technology and provisioning specialised Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) services for the marine industry. Innovative technologies have also created new opportunities for harnessing ocean resources and enable job creation which are vital for inclusive growth.

In order to fully harness the potential of the blue economy, India needs to envision the seas and oceans as development spaces. This involves an integrated approach towards oceanic resources comprising marine spatial planning and integrated coastal zone management.

This conference aims to add to the understanding of the discourse on Blue Economy and intends to discuss its constituents in an attempt to develop a common understanding of the concept. It seeks to identify the opportunities and challenges with the aim of evolving concrete recommendations towards harnessing the Blue Economy, while ensuring efficient utilization of marine resources and sustained development of the oceans.

The conference will be conducted over five sessions, namely:-

Session 1: Blue Economy and Sustainable Development

Session 2: Habitat Protection and Ocean Ecology

Session 3: Ocean Governance and Marine Resources

Session 4: Maritime Security and Industry

Session 5: Enablers of Blue Economy

Shri Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, and Shipping will inaugurate the two-day conference on 9^thFebruary, and deliver the keynote address.

Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Union Minister for State (Independent Charge) Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, is the Guest of Honour and will make his special address during the inaugural session.

Admiral Sunil Lanba, Chief of the Naval Staff and Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee, will deliver the opening address.

Admiral RK Dhowan (Retd), Chairman National Maritime Foundation and former Chief of the Naval Staff, will deliver the welcome address for the participants and delegates.

Members from academia, representatives from maritime related trade bodies and industry, stakeholders in various Governmental and non-Governmental organisations, related to the maritime domain, and members of the strategic community in India have been invited to attend this conference. In addition, experts and policy makers from India, Australia, China, Bangladesh, Seychelles, Mauritius, Sri Lanka and Singapore, will participate in this flagship event of the NMF.

 

DKS/AC                                                                                                                                           

 

 

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