The seminar, organized by BIISS and its Director General, Maj Gen Muhammad Imrul Quayes, who chaired the event, was attended mostly by university teachers, former ambassadors, retired secretaries, military and civil officials, and newspaper editors.

Secretary to Foreign Ministry, Rear Admiral (retd) M Khurshed Alam, presented the keynote paper at the function, sources said.

Speaking on the occasion as the guest of honor Dipu Moni said apart from continuing the negotiations with the neighboring country, Bangladesh proceeded with legal arguments in the International Court as an alternative way to ensure the country’s rights to the sea resources.

“Bangladesh presented all necessary documents, information and arguments before the court. Now we hope that we’ll get justice,” she said.

Describing the maritime boundary with Burma as a national issue, Dipu Moni said the ruling Awami League government has taken the necessary legal steps in this regard to ensure people’s desires are attained and their rights protected by identifying the maritime boundary.

She mentioned that Bangladesh dealt with the legal steps efficiently at the court, taking counsel from  internationally renowned lawyers.
“Hydrographers and oceanographers are also helpful for having the verdict in our favour,” she said.

The Foreign Minister said the government would take steps to make the documents public so that people could have access to the information.

Some of the speakers emphasized producing skilled manpower by introducing oceanography and hydrography in the country’s public and private universities.

“Although oceanography is an important subject in the modern world and also very pertinent for Bangladesh, no private university in the country teaches their students about it,” said Rear Admiral (retd) M Khurshed Alam.