Islamabad, The National Institute of Maritime Affairs (NIMA) convened its 11th Board of Advisors (BoA) meeting at its Head Office in Islamabad, reaffirming its commitment to shaping a forward-looking and strategically aligned maritime discourse in Pakistan.
The session was chaired by Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah (Retd), Former Chief of the Naval Staff and Chairman NIMA BoA. In his opening address, Admiral Zakaullah underscored the need to align maritime research with practical industry requirements, emphasizing a results-oriented approach that delivers tangible benefits. He also lauded the efforts of the NIMA team, recognizing their continued growth into a credible national and international maritime think tank.
Welcoming the board members, Vice Admiral Ahmed Saeed, President NIMA, offered insights into the shifting global geopolitical landscape, emerging economic trends, and evolving maritime strategic priorities in 2025. He highlighted the importance of adaptive maritime policies to meet contemporary challenges.
A comprehensive summary of NIMA’s recent research contributions was presented by Commodore Dr. Baber Bilal Haider, Vice President NIMA. His briefing covered the institute’s current projects and ongoing research activities that reflect NIMA’s growing relevance in maritime policymaking.
The board engaged in in-depth deliberations across a wide range of critical maritime themes, including national maritime policy development, port infrastructure, ship recycling, maritime tourism, offshore hydrocarbon and mineral exploration, fisheries and aquaculture, and the ecological impacts of climate change and marine pollution. The integration of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies into the maritime sector was also a prominent focus.
The meeting concluded with the Board’s endorsement of NIMA’s proposed calendar and event plan for the upcoming year, reflecting a strategic roadmap for future engagements and research endeavors.
This meeting marked another step forward in strengthening Pakistan’s maritime outlook, with NIMA continuing to serve as a pivotal platform for dialogue, policy support, and knowledge exchange in the maritime domain.
