Chief Secretary Anu Garg of Odisha expressed confidence in the state’s goal to achieve a developed Viksit Odisha by 2036 through leveraging its significant potential in the blue economy. Speaking at the inauguration of the Global Summit on Blue Economy 2026, Garg highlighted Odisha’s strengths, including a 575 km coastline, strong economic fundamentals, and a favorable demography. She emphasized the state’s aim to contribute 5% to the country’s GDP by 2047, focusing on sectors like fisheries, maritime infrastructure, coastal tourism, and marine biotechnology.
Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, emphasized the untapped potential of the oceans globally, with over 95% of the deep ocean remaining unexplored. He pointed out opportunities in offshore energy and marine biotechnology, while also addressing challenges such as climate impacts and marine pollution. The need for enhanced research and innovation to sustainably utilize ocean resources was stressed.
Ambassador Karlito Nunes of Timor-Leste highlighted his country’s efforts to strengthen marine and coastal sectors during the summit. He underscored the significance of international collaboration in advancing Blue Economy initiatives. The event, which spans two days, will cover various sectors including fisheries, marine biodiversity, climate resilience, maritime security, marine pollution, offshore energy, deep-sea mining, marine biotechnology, and AI-enabled ocean intelligence.
