Inaugural Address by Shri Pranab Mukherjee, President-Designate of India On the Occasion of the Launch of the World Institute of Blue Economy

23 July 2012, New Delhi

Distinguished guests, esteemed dignitaries, respected scholars, ladies and gentlemen,

It is with great humility and deep honour that I stand before you today, at the dawn of a new chapter - both for our nation and for the global community. Today marks not only my designation as the 13th President of the Republic of India, but also the birth of a pioneering institution - the World Institute of Blue Economy.

Hon'ble Shri Pranab Mukherjee, President of India Designate congratulating
Dr. Priyaranjan Trivedi on his initiatives for establishing the World Institute
of Blue Economy. Dr. Padmasha Jha, VC (I/C), LNMU is also seen here.

The sea has always been a cradle of civilization. For millennia, it has connected cultures, sustained livelihoods, and shaped the destiny of nations. In today's interconnected world, the oceans are not only a source of food and mineral wealth but also a vital driver of economic progress, climate regulation, and scientific discovery.

The Blue Economy, to my mind, which encompasses sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs, while preserving the health of marine and coastal ecosystems, is an idea whose time has come.

India, with its vast coastline of over 7,500 kilometres, a rich maritime heritage, and a growing port infrastructure, is uniquely positioned to lead this global conversation. The launch of the World Institute of Blue Economy here in New Delhi is both timely and visionary.

This Institute is not merely a centre of academic research. It is a beacon of global cooperation, a platform for innovation, and a guardian of marine sustainability. It shall serve as a bridge - between the developed and developing world, between science and policy, and between humanity's aspirations and the ocean's limits.

As President-Designate, I reaffirm India's commitment to the principles of sustainable development. Our oceans, while abundant, are not infinite. Overfishing, pollution, climate change, and unregulated exploitation threaten their future. We must, therefore, move from exploitation to stewardship, from short-term gains to long-term resilience.

The World Institute of Blue Economy must strive to answer the most pressing questions of our time:

How do we ensure equitable access to ocean resources?

How can technology support sustainable fisheries, renewable marine energy, and biodiversity conservation?

How can coastal communities - often the first to face the brunt of environmental degradation - be empowered and protected?

India is already taking steps in this direction. Our Sagarmala Project aims to modernize our ports and integrate them with inland waterways. Our investments in marine biotechnology, oceanography, and climate research are deepening our scientific capabilities.

But much more needs to be done. And we cannot do it alone.

The ocean is a shared heritage of mankind. Its fate rests in our collective hands. This Institute must evolve as a hub for international dialogue, capacity-building, and policy coherence. It should bring together governments, academia, private enterprises, and civil society to chart a course that is economically viable, socially inclusive, and ecologically sound.

Let us also remember the words of Mahatma Gandhi, who said: "The earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need but not every man's greed." This wisdom applies just as truly to our oceans.

Friends, today we embark on a journey that will shape the 21st century - not only in terms of economics, but in terms of equity, environment, and ethics.

As I assume the responsibility of the highest office in our Republic, I pledge to support institutions such as this, which stand at the confluence of knowledge, sustainability, and human progress.

May the World Institute of Blue Economy become a lighthouse for the global community - guiding us toward a future where prosperity and preservation go hand in hand.

Thank you

3 July 2012, New Delhi (India)

World Institute of Blue Economy Inaugurated by Hon'ble Shri Pranab Mukherjee, President of India Designate

Distinguished guests, esteemed dignitaries, respected scholars, ladies and gentlemen,

The President of India Designate Hon'ble Shri Pranab Mukherjee while inaugurating the World Institute of Blue Economy (WIBE) at his official residence, 13 Talkatora Road, New Delhi said that the sea has always been a cradle of civilization. For millennia, it has connected cultures, sustained livelihoods, and shaped the destiny of nations. In today's interconnected world, the oceans are not only a source of food and mineral wealth but also a vital driver of economic progress, climate regulation, and scientific discovery.

 
Hon'ble Shri Pranab Mukherjee, President of India Designate congratulating Dr. Priyaranjan Trivedi on his initiatives for establishing the World Institute of Blue Economy. Dr. Padmasha Jha, VC (I/C), LNMU is also seen here.

 

He added that it is with great humility and deep honour that I stand before you today, at the dawn of a new chapter - both for our nation and for the global community. Today marks not only my designation as the 13th President of the Republic of India, but also the birth of a pioneering institution - the World Institute of Blue Economy.

He further added that the Blue Economy, to my mind, which encompasses sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs, while preserving the health of marine and coastal ecosystems, is an idea whose time has come.

He while explaining about the coastline of our country, he said that India, with its vast coastline of over 7,500 kilometres, a rich maritime heritage, and a growing port infrastructure, is uniquely positioned to lead this global conversation. The launch of the World Institute of Blue Economy here in New Delhi is both timely and visionary.

This Institute is not merely a centre of academic research. It is a beacon of global cooperation, a platform for innovation, and a guardian of marine sustainability. It shall serve as a bridge - between the developed and developing world, between science and policy, and between humanity's aspirations and the ocean's limits, he further explained.

As President-Designate, I reaffirm India's commitment to the principles of sustainable development. Our oceans, while abundant, are not infinite. Overfishing, pollution, climate change, and unregulated exploitation threaten their future. We must, therefore, move from exploitation to stewardship, from short-term gains to long-term resilience, he outlined.

He hoped that the World Institute of Blue Economy will strive to answer the most pressing questions of our time including the assurance for equitable access to oceanic resources; plan for technology support sustainable fisheries, renewable marine energy, and biodiversity conservation; saving the coastal communities from the brunt of environmental degradation be empowered and protected.

Advising the functionaries of the World Institute of Blue Economy, he said that the ocean is a shared heritage of mankind. Its fate rests in our collective hands and accordingly this Institute must evolve as a hub for international dialogue, capacity-building, and policy coherence. It should bring together governments, academia, private enterprises, and civil society to chart a course that is economically viable, socially inclusive, and ecologically sound.

He also reminded the world citizenry to remember the words of Mahatma Gandhi, who said: "The earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need but not every man's greed." This wisdom applies just as truly to our oceans.

As I assume the responsibility of the highest office in our Republic, I pledge to support institutions such as this, which stand at the confluence of knowledge, sustainability, and human progress, he opined.

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