International Seabed Authority (ISA) Secretary-General Michael W Lodge has applauded the "invaluable contributions" of Bangladesh to the work of the Jamaica-based intergovernmental body.
He referred to the presidency of Bangladesh at the assembly of the Authority in 2016 and its presidency in the Council in 2020.
Ambassador Muhammad Abdul Muhith, permanent representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations in New York, presented his credentials to Lodge, as the permanent representative of the country to the Authority.
The presentation ceremony took place at the secretariat of the Authority in Jamaica Thursday.
Following the presentation of credentials, the ambassador and secretary-general had a bilateral meeting. They discussed a wide range of issues of mutual interest between Bangladesh and the Authority.
Mentioning the blue economy as a new development frontier for Bangladesh, Muhith stressed the need for enhanced cooperation between Bangladesh and the ISA in capacity building and technology transfer for the exploitation, conservation, scientific management, and use of marine resources.
The secretary-general said they would work closely with Bangladesh in the days to come.
Made up of 167 members, including Bangladesh, the ISA is mandated to organise, regulate and control all mineral-related activities in the seabed area for the benefit of humankind as a whole.