About this episode

This episode discusses the role of science diplomacy in addressing conflicts and resource management in the Bay of Bengal.

The Bay of Bengal is home to a quarter of humanity, and it is under pressure. Geopolitical competition, declining fish stocks, and the intensifying impacts of climate change are straining a shared maritime environment on which hundreds of millions of people depend. As resources grow scarcer, so does the risk of escalation among the region's littoral states. In this episode, Josephine Collier and Alexandra Steinkraus (adelphi) speak with Nicholas Chu and Sreejith Sugunan from the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, the organisation which initiated the Bay of Bengal Maritime Dialogue — the only platform addressing the bay in a holistic sense. Together, we explore how science diplomacy uses scientific cooperation as a neutral entry point for regional collaboration: from tackling illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing to facilitating the Kochi Declaration on Marine Science Cooperation. The often overlooked role of women in the fisheries and coastal labour force is also discussed, and why inclusive, gender-responsive approaches to maritime policymaking produce better science and more durable governance outcomes. Further resources: More information about the project Bay of…

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