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Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies

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Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies

Moutusi Islam

Moutusi Islam

Research Fellow , Non-traditional Security Studies
+880-2-48315808, 222223808; Ext. 113 moutusi@biiss.org

Moutusi Islam is a Research Fellow at the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS)—the premier statutory think tank of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. With over a decade of experience in research, policy analysis, and strategic studies, her work centres on maritime security, the Blue Economy, ocean governance, and regional cooperation within the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).

Ms Islam has actively represented Bangladesh at numerous international conferences, dialogues, and academic forums, presenting research papers and participating in high-level expert discussions across Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, and India. She serves as the National Focal Point for Bangladesh in the Indian Ocean Rim Academic Group (IORAG)—the academic arm of IORA—and plays a key role in the Bay of Bengal Maritime Dialogue, an initiative aimed at fostering cooperative maritime governance in the region.

In addition to her institutional responsibilities at BIISS, Ms Islam contributes to policy-oriented research projects with The Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD), focusing on regional security and maritime governance. Her research combines empirical and analytical depth, supported by her proficiency in NVivo and qualitative research methodologies.

Ms Islam regularly writes for policy journals and edited volumes on emerging maritime challenges and opportunities in the Bay of Bengal and the wider Indian Ocean region. Her recent publication, “Towards a Sustainable Bay of Bengal Blue Economy: Role of BIMSTEC”, examines regional cooperation mechanisms to promote sustainable ocean-based economic development through an integrated policy lens.

She holds both Bachelor’s (BSS) and Master’s (MSS) degrees in International Relations from the University of Dhaka. She has received advanced training in the Law of the Sea from the Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security (ANCORS) at the University of Wollongong, Australia.

Areas of Expertise
  1. Maritime Security
  2. Blue Economy
  3. Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)
  4. Ocean Governance
Journal Articles
  1. “Towards a Sustainable Bay of Bengal Blue Economy: Role of BIMSTEC”, BIISS Journal, Vol. 48, No. 1, 2025.
  2. “Bangladesh-India Maritime Cooperation in the Bay of Bengal: Bangladesh Perspective”, BIISS Journal, Vol. 46, No. 3, 2023.
  3. “Bangladesh and Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA): The Future Dynamics”, BIISS Journal, Vol. 44, No. 1, 2023.
  4. “Maritime Security Challenges for Bangladesh: Response Options”, BIISS Journal, Vol. 40, No. 3, 2019, pp. 269-290.
  5. “Blue Economy and Bangladesh: Lessons and Policy Implications, BIISS Journal, Vol. 39, No. 2, 2018, pp. 135-162.
  6. “Indian Ocean Rim Association at 20: An Assessment”, BIISS Journal, Vol. 38, No. 2, 2017, pp. 139-162.
  7. “Rising Tensions in the South China Sea: Implications”, BIISS Journal, Vol. 37, No. 3, 2016, pp. 235-254.
Book Chapters
  1. Moutusi Islam, “Bangladesh’s Blue Economy: A Balanced Approach Between Development and Conservation,” in Situating the Bay of Bengal in a Free and Open Indo-Pacific, eds. Anasua Basu Ray Chaudhury and Prof. Harsh V. Pant (New Delhi: ORF and Global Policy Journal, 2024).
  2. Moutusi Islam, “Blue Diplomacy of Bangladesh: Indo-Pacific in Context,” in Peaceful and Prosperous Indo-Pacific in the 21st Century: Opportunities and Challenges for Bangladesh (Dhaka: UPL) (Upcoming).
Research and Project Experience
  1. Moutusi Islam, IUU Fishing Ban in the Bay of Bengal Effectiveness and Challenges: Bangladesh Experiences (Geneva: The Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD), 2023).
  2. Moutusi Islam, Bangladesh-India Shared Maritime Fisheries Resources: Policy, Implementation, And Sustainable Management Practices (Geneva: The Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD), 2024).
Paper Presentation
  1. Paper presented on “Towards a Sustainable Bay of Bengal Blue Economy”, in the Second Meeting of the Track 1.5 BIMSTEC Security Dialogue Forum, Organised by Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS), Dhaka, on 30-31 July 2019.
  2. Discussant of the Session “Disaster Management, Maritime Cooperation and Coastal Security of BIMSTEC” in the International Symposium “BIMSTEC: A Vehicle for Growth and Development”, Organised by the Institute of Social and Cultural Studies (ISCS), India and Indian Ministry of External Affairs, 25th October 2021.
  3. Paper presented on “The Nexus between Maritime Security and Blue Economy: Implications for Bangladesh in post-Covid Era”, in the “Blue Economy and Prospects of Maritime Business: Bangladesh Perspective”, Organised by Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) on 21 July 2022. 
  4. Paper presented on “Bangladesh and Indian Ocean Rim Association”, in the BIISS Colloquium, Organised by Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) in December 2023.
  5. Paper presented on “IUU Fishing Ban in the Bay of Bengal Effectiveness and Challenges: Bangladesh Experiences”, in the Fourth Bay of Bengal Maritime Dialogue, 6-8 May 2024, Colombo, Sri Lanka, Organised by HD Centre and Pathfinder Foundation.
  6. Paper presented on “Harnessing the Potential of the Blue Economy in Bangladesh: Current Status, Obstacles, and Strategic Directions”, in the Roundtable “Developing Blue Economy of Bangladesh: International Cooperation”, Organised by Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) on 07 July 2024.
  7. Paper presented on “Emerging Maritime Security in the Bay of Bengal: Geopolitical and Strategic Implications” in the Roundtable Maritime Security in the Bay of Bengal: Emerging Threats and Strategies of Bangladesh, Organised by Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) on 20 November 2024.
  8. Paper Presented on “Towards a Sustainable Bay of Bengal Blue Economy: Implications for Regional Maritime Governance” in the Fifth Bay of Bengal Maritime Dialogue, Colombo, Sri Lanka Organised by HD Centre and Pathfinder Foundation, on 20 May 2025.
  9. Paper Presented on “Inclusive Governance at Sea: Building Equitable Maritime Futures for the Bay of Bengal” in the Fifth Bay of Bengal Maritime Dialogue, Colombo, Sri Lanka Organised by HD Centre and Pathfinder Foundation, on 20 May 2025. 
  10. Paper presented on “Mapping Legal and Policy Frameworks for Ocean Governance in Bangladesh: Identifying Gaps and Policy Imperatives” in the Seminar Navigating the Blue Economy: Ocean Resources Management in Bangladesh, Organised by Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS), Dhaka, 29 October 2025.
International Participation
  1. 3rd Indian Ocean Dialogue, 13-14 April 2016, in Padang, Indonesia.
  2. 22nd Meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Academic Group (IORAG), 12 October 2016 in Jakarta, Indonesia.
  3. 23rd Meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Academic Group (IORAG), 14 October 2017 in Durban, South Africa.
  4. 25th Meeting of Indian Ocean Rim Academic Group and 6th Indian Ocean Dialogue, 12-13 December 2019, New Delhi, India.
  5. 26th Meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Academic Group (IORAG), Virtual Mode, 6 October 2021.
  6. 5th Indian Ocean Conference, 5-6 December 2021, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
  7. First Ad Hoc Sub-committee meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Academic Group (IORAG), Virtual Mode, 13 April 2022.
  8. Second Ad Hoc Sub-committee meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Academic Group (IORAG), Virtual Mode, 5 July 2022.
  9. Third Bay of Bengal Maritime Dialogue, 23-24 May 2023, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
  10. High-Level Strategic Dialogue on IORA’s 25-Years – Reflection, Review & Renewal, 20-22 June 2023, Mauritius.
  11. Fourth Bay of Bengal Maritime Dialogue, 6-8 May 2024, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
  12. Fifth Bay of Bengal Maritime Dialogue, 20-21 May 2025, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Awards
  1. Awarded Board Scholarship, Ministry of Education, Bangladesh 2007 Awarded Board Talent Scholarship, Ministry of Education, Bangladesh 2009 Awarded Honours Scholarship, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh 2015
  2. Obtained fourth highest CGPA in BSS from the Department of International Relations University of Dhaka, Bangladesh Obtained third highest CGPA in MSS from the Department of International Relations University of Dhaka, Bangladesh
Scholarships
  1. Awarded Board Scholarship, Ministry of Education, 2007
  2. Awarded Board Talent Scholarship, Ministry of Education, 2009
  3. Awarded Honours Scholarship, University of Dhaka, 2015
  1. Workshop on Research Methodology, 2015 held at Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS), Dhaka.
  2. International Workshop on Application of Ocean Science and  Technology for the Practice of Sustainable “Blue Economy” in     Developing Countries, November 8-9, 2021, Virtual-Mode, Organized by  NAM S&T Centre New Delhi and SCOR, Newark, Delaware.
  3. Workshop on “Indo-Pacific Partnerships on Marine Ecology under Australia-India Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative Partnership     (AIIPOIP)”, July 27, 2022, Virtual Mode, Organized by Southern Cross University, Government of Australia and FICCI, India.