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Climate change impacts on Biodiversity and Maritime Security in the Bay of Bengal

Conference
Les impacts du changement climatique sur la biodiversité et la sécurité maritime dans le golfe du Bengale
© Marine nationale
When
Schedule
9am-1pm
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What is the relationship between climate change, maritime security, and sustainable management of marine biodiversity? The Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the Directorate General for International Relations and Strategy (DGRIS) of the French Ministry for the Armed Forces invite you to an inaugural research seminar, coordinated by the Observatory of Climate Change impacts on Defense and Security of the French Institute for International and Strategic Affairs (IRIS)

The Bay of Bengal concentrates some of the most serious impacts of climate change (sea-level rise, cyclones, ocean acidification, depleting fish stocks, etc.), at the risk of exacerbating local and inter-regional tensions (resources scarcity, human mobility).

At the epicenter of various geopolitical influences and important economic, energy and political stakes, the region is also an area prone to illegal activities at sea (illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices, drug and human trafficking, piracy, terrorism). Yet, the populations of the region are heavily reliant on these coastal and marine ecosystems even though the potential of the "blue economy", understood as sustainable management of fisheries resources and biodiversity preservation, has not been fully explored.

The objective of the seminar is therefore to provide an arena for dialogue, with the support of the scientific community, around the issues of sustainable and safe management and use of maritime spaces in the Northern Indian Ocean.

This event will be held on June 25, 2021 (in English):

  • Session 1 (9am CET) - Sustainable management of fisheries resources in the Bay of Bengal: What practices for a better preservation of marine and coastal ecosystems, especially with regards to the impacts of climate change?
  • Session 2 (11am CET) - Climate change and maritime security in the Northern Indian Ocean: potential collaborations and avenues for reflection, particularly for a sustainable and safe management of marine biodiversity.