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       KARACHI: President Asif Ali Zardari has reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to promoting regional marine cooperation and ensuring peace, progress and sustainability in the Indian Ocean region.

       Addressing the 3rd China-Indian Ocean Region Forum on Blue Economy Cooperation held in Kunming, China, via a video message, the president stressed the need for collective action to harness the ocean’s potential while addressing the pressing challenges of climate change, pollution and ecosystem degradation.

       The president said Pakistan stands ready to partner with all stakeholders to promote marine cooperation and ensure that our region remains a bastion of peace, progress, and sustainability.

       The forum held from Dec 14 to 16 is organised by the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) and focu-ses on promoting collaboration among countries in the maritime sector.

       Mr Zardari said that the future of world economic growth was going to be driven by the East due to its large population and resources.

       Highlighting the importance of the ocean as a shared lifeline and a source of immense economic opportunities, he pointed out Paki-stan’s efforts to enhance its blue economy. He said that these include the formulation of the Natio-nal Maritime Policy, initiatives focusing on sustainable fisheries and marine conservation and the Living Indus Project, which aims to protect ecosystems and combat pollution.

       He underscored the development of Gwadar Port under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which is being trans-formed into a regional connectivity hub to drive trade and maritime economic growth.

       Published in Dawn, December 17th, 2024