KARACHI: Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry has urged integrating ocean awareness into formal education systems and empowering youth as active partners in preserving marine ecosystems.
He expressed these views during a meeting with Minister of State for Education and Professional Training, Wajiha Qamar, who called on him and discussed strategies for enhancing marine education, literacy, and youth engagement in sustainable ocean management, said a press release.
Highlighting the critical role of marine literacy, Chaudhry said, “Understanding our oceans is no longer optional, it is essential for climate resilience, sustainable development, and the long-term health of our maritime resources.” He added that education equips our youth to make informed decisions and actively contribute to marine conservation and the blue economy.
He stressed aligning marine education with Development Goal (SDG) 4.7, which promotes education for sustainable development (ESD) by embedding knowledge of marine ecosystems, conservation, and human-ocean interactions into curricula, teacher training, and global citizenship programs.
“Initiatives like ‘Ocean Literacy for All’ can mainstream these elements in national policies, school programs, and community workshops to build proactive citizenship on marine challenges,” minister Chaudhry added.
“Ocean Literacy for All” is a UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)–coordinated global initiative under the UN Ocean Decade (2021–2030) that promotes ocean awareness, education, and conservation.
Chaudhry emphasized advancing marine education in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 14 on ocean conservation, SDG 4 on quality education, SDG 13 on climate action, and SDG 2 on sustainable fisheries, with a focus on reducing pollution, strengthening ecosystem management, and ensuring sustainable use of marine resources.
He also announced reforms in maritime education, including granting degree-awarding status to the Pakistan Marine Academy, and the establishment of the Maritime Educational Endowment Fund (MEEF) to provide scholarships for deserving children from coastal communities.
“The scholarship program promotes inclusive development by enabling access to quality education for youth from over 70 coastal and fishing communities, particularly in Sindh and Balochistan,” he said.
The minister said a dedicated oversight committee has been formed to ensure transparency, equitable distribution, and robust monitoring scholarships’ process. In its initial phase, MEEF targets coastal regions, with plans for national expansion, he added.
The discussion underscored raising awareness about oceans, coastal ecosystems, and marine resources. Both ministers stressed on the need to integrate climate and marine education from classrooms to community programs, addressing risks like rising sea temperatures, coastal erosion, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
“Marine literacy is a strategic investment,” he added. “By equipping young people with knowledge of fisheries, mangroves, and sustainable maritime practices, we can cultivate a generation that protects our oceans while unlocking blue economy opportunities.
State Minister Wajiha Qamar highlighted education’s transformative power in building social resilience: “Incorporating marine science and ocean literacy into curricula can help students connect local challenges with global trends.
”The meeting explored translating complex marine science into accessible public knowledge through sustained, solution-oriented awareness campaigns. With coastline facing pressures from climate change, pollution, and overexploitation, the ministers called for a coordinated approach blending formal education, informal learning, and youth-led advocacy.
Chaudhry urged nationwide programs with curriculum modules on marine biodiversity, fisheries management, ecosystem protection, disaster risk reduction, and sustainable resource use.
He said, “A joint effort by the Ministries of Maritime Affairs and Education can cultivate an ocean-literate generation, transforming vulnerability into resilience and ensuring the long-term sustainability of coastal and marine ecosystems.”
