Bangkok, April 3 — Professor Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Advisor, will participate in the 6th BIMSTEC Summit on Friday as Bangladesh takes over the leadership role of the organization for the coming two years.
The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) includes seven nations from the Bay of Bengal area — Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
Officials stated that the leadership of BIMSTEC, recognized as a vital platform for advancing regional growth, infrastructure links, and economic advancement in the Bay of Bengal area, shifts based on the alphabetical sequence of the English names of its member countries.
During the Summit, the transition of leadership occurs as the country currently heading BIMSTEC, which acts as the host for the Summit, passes on the chairmanship to the following member state in alphabetical order.
The theme for the 6th summit, which is taking place three years following the fifth summit (held virtually in Colombo on March 30, 2022), is “Prosperous, Resilient, and Open BIMSTEC.”
At the start of the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, attendees will gather for a group photograph. This will be succeeded by welcoming remarks from the BIMSTEC Chairperson and Thai Prime Minister. A moment of silence will then be held to honor those affected by the recent earthquakes.
Following the endorsement of the agenda, the heads of BIMSTEC states will deliver their addresses.
Following the transfer of BIMSTEC leadership, the incoming chairperson will address the gathering, with concluding comments provided by the Thai prime minister, as informed by an official to UNB.
According to the BIMSTEC Secretariat, the summit seeks to promote cooperation amongst member nations to tackle common security and development issues. It will inject fresh momentum into ongoing initiatives aimed at achieving a thriving, robust, and open BIMSTEC region.
The Foreign Secretary, Md Jashim Uddin, stated that the summit will enhance and intensify the ties between Bangladesh and other BIMSTEC nations. He also emphasized its crucial role in promoting regional stability and progress.
“There’s no doubt that this sixth BIMSTEC Summit marks a significant move forward for the new Bangladesh within the regional landscape via BIMSTEC,” he stated, expressing his hope for the summit’s success.
Summit Agenda
The summit, according to the BIMSTEC headquarters, features an extensive agenda – including the endorsement of the declaration from the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, capturing the vision of the leaders along with their resolutions and instructions; also encompassing the approval of the Bangkok Vision 2030.
This initial vision document will be endorsed by the Leaders. It offers a detailed and actionable guide for enhancing collaboration among the BIMSTEC member states moving forward.
The signing of the agreement for Maritime Transport Collaboration seeks to boost marine transportation within the Bay of Bengal. This initiative intends to improve the movement of goods and individuals among member states, facilitating increased commerce and travel between them.
In the meantime, the endorsement of memorandums of understanding (MOUs) between BIMSTEC and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), along with those between BIMSTEC and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), forms part of the plan. These agreements aim to usher in a fresh chapter of collaborative development efforts involving BIMSTEC and these entities.
The approval of the Rules of Procedure for the BIMSTEC Mechanisms, along with the Charter, will establish the basic structure for regional collaboration within BIMSTEC. Additionally, the endorsement of the Report from the Eminent Persons Group regarding the future path of BIMSTEC is also part of the discussion points.
In 2024, the team convened six times. Following consultations with pertinent stakeholders, they completed their report through thorough discussions and finalized it in September 2024.
The report includes several recommendations, and the member states have begun taking actions intended to implement the findings of the report.
Amidst the swiftly changing and unpredictable global political and economic landscape, the 6th BIMSTEC Summit aims to strengthen even more the crucial function of BIMSTEC—the sole regional body in the Bay of Bengal—in promoting collaboration among nations. This initiative seeks to empower member states to address common security concerns and foster sustainable growth effectively.
Since BIMSTEC was established in June 1997, five summits have taken place in Bangkok (2004), New Delhi (2008), Nay Pyi Taw (2014), Kathmandu (2018), and Colombo (2022).
It focuses on regional collaboration across seven key areas: Agriculture & Food Security; Connectivity; Environmental Protection & Climate Change; Cultural Exchanges & Interactions; Scientific Research, Technological Advancement & Innovation; Security Matters; and Commerce, Investments & Economic Growth.
The collaboration encompasses eight sectors: Blue Economy, Mountain Economy, Energy, Disaster Management, Fisheries & Livestock, Poverty Alleviation, Health, and Human Resource Development.