ZCZC
BSS-15
PROJECT-AGREEMENT-FAO
Govt inks deals with FAO to implement two fisheries projects
DHAKA, April 16, 2019 (BSS) – The government today signed two separate
agreements with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United
Nations to implement two fisheries projects.
Sultana Afroze, additional secretary of the Economic Relations Division
under the Ministry of Finance, and Robert D Simpson, FAO Representative in
Bangladesh, signed both the agreements on behalf of their respective sides at
ERD conference room here, a FAO press release said.
Under the agreements, the US$ 5.425 million community-based Climate
Resilient Fisheries and Aquaculture Development in Bangladesh project and the
Support to countries to address Illegal Unreported and unregulated Fishing
project will be jointly implemented by the Department of Fisheries (DoF) and
the FAO, Bangladesh.
The Global Environment Facility (GEF) is funding the first project as a
grant from the Least Developed Country’s Fund (LDCF). The four-year Climate
Resilient Fisheries project is expected to be completed by March 2023.
The second project is a Technical Cooperation Project (TCP) of FAO. Project
budget is US$ 320,000. The project is of one year duration.
The Climate Resilient Fisheries project will be implemented in South
Sunamganj and Jagannathpur upazila of Sunamganj district; Juri Upazila of
Moulvibazar district and Nasirnagar Upazila of Barahman Baria district in the
North-east haor area. In the South-west coastal area, the project will be
implemented in Dumuria and Dacope upazilas of Khulna, Bagerhat sadar and
Kachua upazila of Bagerhat and Shyamnagar upazila of Satkhira.
Under the second project, FAO will support the Department of Fisheries for
their capacity and skill development to formulate and adopt legislations,
regulations, standards and implementation of arrangements in line with
international and regional standards in reducing Illegal Unreported and
Unregulated (IUU) fishing.
IUU fishing includes fishing and fishing-related activities in
contravention of national, regional and international laws. IUU fishing
hinders developing countries’ growth opportunities, deprives the poorest,
food-insecure people who depend on fisheries for their livelihood. Countries
in the South and South East Asia region recognise the importance and need for
concerted national, regional and international actions to address the IUU
fishing.
FAO has been facilitating the government to join the global IUU forum. If
the government of Bangladesh joins the IUU forum, Bangladesh will get other
benefits and support from the international community.
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