Dhaka Sees BIMSTEC Summit as Chance to Showcase Bangladesh

Bangladesh views this year's BIMSTEC Summit, set to take place in Bangkok, Thailand, on April 4, as a crucial opportunity to present a "just and inclusive" Bangladesh to South and Southeast Asia, officials said this week. The country will assume the chairmanship of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) for the next two years.

The 6th BIMSTEC Summit, following a virtual summit in Colombo in 2022, will be preceded by meetings of senior officials on April 2 and foreign ministers on April 3. Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus is scheduled to travel to Bangkok on April 3, where he will also deliver a keynote speech at the "BIMSTEC Young Generation Forum" on the same day.

The summit's theme, "Prosperous, Resilient, and Open BIMSTEC," highlights the group's shared goal of fostering regional collaboration to address security and development challenges. Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin emphasized that the summit will "strengthen and deepen" relations between Bangladesh and other BIMSTEC members, helping advance regional peace and development.

A major highlight of the summit could be the signing of a "Maritime Transport Cooperation" agreement, aimed at boosting regional economic and trade relations by enhancing maritime transport across the Bay of Bengal. Additionally, Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between BIMSTEC and organizations like the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) are also expected to be signed.

Other key agenda items include adopting the Bangkok Vision 2030, a roadmap for future cooperation, and the Rules of Procedure for BIMSTEC mechanisms. A report from the Eminent Persons Group, outlining recommendations for BIMSTEC’s future direction, will also be presented.

Since its inception in 1997, BIMSTEC has evolved into a vital regional organization that brings together Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. The grouping focuses on cooperation in seven broad sectors, including agriculture, connectivity, environment, security, and trade, along with sub-sectors such as blue economy, disaster management, and health.

The 6th BIMSTEC Summit marks a new step in regional cooperation, further solidifying BIMSTEC's role in addressing shared challenges and fostering sustainable development in the Bay of Bengal region.