How France Can Support Bangladesh In Developing Its Blue Economy?

With 11 million square meters, France has the second-largest maritime territory in the world. From this heritage, the country is considered a global leader in blue economy technology, research, and innovation in areas such as marine energies, sustainable fisheries, maritime industry, maritime security, and oceanography. For Bangladesh, these sectors hold great potential, especially since the Hague Court awarded in 2014 almost 20,000 km2 of maritime area in the Bay of Bengal.

- Julien DEUR

France is also championing blue diplomacy, as it hosted together with Costa Rica the 2025 UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France — a successful multilateral event that contributed to securing enough signatories for the High Seas Treaty (BBNJ Agreement) to come into force by 2026. This new instrument is filling the existing gap regarding the conservation and sustainable use of resources in areas beyond national jurisdiction. Safeguarding the oceans, however, also demands strong public and private financing, as well as broader support for building a sustainable blue economy.

Building on these elements, France-Bangladesh cooperation can be developed through increasing technical cooperation and enhancing business relations. This dynamic was highlighted under a series of “Blue Talks” organized in 2024 and 2025 by the Embassy of France in Bangladesh, which brought together key stakeholders and underscored Bangladesh’s pivotal role in unlocking the full potential of the Bay of Bengal, both in terms of exploration and the sustainable use of its coastal and marine resources. From this perspective, various sub-sectors stand out as particularly promising for cooperation, such as: