FIO Signs Memorandum of Understanding on Marine Science and Technology Cooperation with the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh

On August 7, 2022, State Councilor and Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi held talks with Foreign Minister of Bangladesh Momem in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and witnessed the signing of cooperation agreements between the two countries on infrastructure, disaster prevention and mitigation, cultural tourism, and ocean issues. Among them, the maritime cooperation agreement signed by the two countries is the memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of marine science and technology between FIO and the University of Dhaka in Bangladesh.

The University of Dhaka, located in Dhaka, capital of Bangladesh, is the oldest and largest public research-oriented university in Bangladesh. FIO and the university have seen mutual visits and cooperation since 2016. Relying on international cooperation platforms such as the UNESCO/IOC Regional Training and Research Center on Ocean Dynamics and Climate (ODC Center), FIO has provided training on ocean models and forecasting for young scholars of Bangladesh multiple times. With preliminary negotiations and discussions, both parties agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding on marine science and technology cooperation to deepen cooperation and expand its scope.

The memorandum of understanding includes that both parties will engage in in-depth cooperation in multiple areas of ocean science of common interest (physical oceanography, chemistry, ecology, geology, spatial planning, etc.), and organize activities such as mutual visits and training. The recent cooperation between both sides will focus on ocean and climate studies in the Bay of Bengal and neighboring regions.

The signing of the memorandum of understanding will further promote practical maritime cooperation between China and Bangladesh, deepen the partnership between the two countries featuring mutual trust for common development, and lay a scientific foundation for jointly coping with global climate change and achieving disaster prevention and mitigation.