DHAKA, Jan 14, 2026 (BSS) - Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today said that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Maheshkhali Integrated Development Authority (MIDA) and Japan's renowned Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF) will help conserve ocean and protect marine fisheries. He made the remarks after witnessing the signing ceremony of the MoU at the State Guest House Jamuna this afternoon, said the Chief Adviser's Press Wing. Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud bin Harun, Executive Chairman of MIDA, and Professor Mitsutaku Makino, President of the Ocean Policy Research Institute (OPRI) of SPF, signed the MoU on their respective sides to enhance cooperation in fisheries and marine affairs in support of a sustainable blue economy. The agreement will be formally endorsed by SPF President Dr Atsushi Sunami in the coming weeks.  Dr Emadul Islam, Senior Research Fellow at OPRI, and Commodore Tanzim Faruq, Member of MIDA, were present at the MoU signing ceremony. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Adviser emphasized the importance of ocean conservation. "Our ocean is a major asset, yet it is increasingly polluted. Plastic waste has now been detected several thousand meters deep in the sea. This MoU will help us protect and keep our seas clean," he said. Highlighting the significance of the partnership, Prof Yunus added, "We must protect our marine resources. The Sasakawa Peace Foundation is globally respected for its marine research. We are delighted to have them involved in our research initiatives. The Marine Science Institute of Chittagong University will remain connected with the foundation, and this research collaboration will expand gradually." The Chief Adviser further noted that under the MoU, the Sasakawa Peace Foundation will support MIDA in developing three villages in Maheshkhali as model fishing villages in line with Umigyo (marine industry-based community development). As the Interim Government of Bangladesh's dedicated agency for coastal development and strategic infrastructure in Maheshkhali and beyond, MIDA will partner with SPF to advance national priorities in fisheries and marine affairs-priorities shaped by more than 20 ministries, departments, and agencies of Bangladesh. The Sasakawa Peace Foundation is one of the world's largest independent philanthropic institutions, with a longstanding commitment to maritime policy, disaster risk reduction, and inclusive development across the Indo-Pacific region. Under the MoU, MIDA and SPF will collaborate in several key areas, including feasibility analyses for adopting Japan's blue economy models in mariculture, fisheries, post-harvest management, seafood processing, and the welfare of fishing communities. The collaboration will also focus on Umigyo (marine industry-based community development), providing guidance on integrated coastal livelihoods, safety at sea, community-based marine resource management, sustainable local economic development, and establishing two-way communication systems between fishing communities and the Government of Bangladesh. Baseline studies on fisheries resources and coastal tourism potential will also be conducted. Infrastructure development-such as jetties, automated fish landing facilities, cold-chain and transport logistics, seafood processing facilities, and market-chain development-will form another key pillar of cooperation. In addition, training programs will be implemented covering deep-sea fishing operations, seafood handling and preservation, mariculture, technology transfer for high-value-added products and by-product utilization, export diversification, investment facilitation, disaster management, safety at sea, quality control, hygiene, working conditions, and labor standards. "This partnership presents a valuable opportunity to work closely with the Government of Bangladesh to promote an integrated and sustainable blue economy, particularly in the fisheries sector," said Professor Mitsutaku Makino, President of OPRI, Sasakawa Peace Foundation.  He expressed hope that the collaboration would further strengthen Japan-Bangladesh relations and contribute to the welfare and sustainable development of coastal communities in Bangladesh. MIDA Executive Chairman Ashik Chowdhury underscored MIDA’s long-term vision, stating, “MIDA is committed to preserving age-old ways of living among fishing communities across our coasts while building new economic frontiers”.  This partnership with SPF is an alignment of values and action, and allows Bangladesh to learn from Japan’s Umigyo approach—marine-based coastal community development that integrates livelihoods, sustainability and growth, he said, adding, it will enable us to scale up the science, strategy and systems needed to unlock the Bay of Bengal, the world’s largest bay.  “Bangladesh must now act at a higher level to tap into this frontier,” Ashik Chowdhury said.   The MoU was signed on the sidelines of the high-level dialogue titled 'Northeast Indian Ocean Regional Dialogue on Sustainable Blue Economy, Connectivity, and Resilience for Small Island Developing States (SIDS)', held at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in the city from January 13-14, 2026. The two-day event was jointly organized by the Ocean Policy Research Institute (OPRI) of SPF, MIDA, and Peace and Policy Solutions (Bangladesh).  Senior policymakers, experts, and development partners from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and India's Andaman and Nicobar Islands participated in the dialogue.