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Bangladesh Assumes BIMSTEC Chairmanship for Next 2yrs
Bangladesh officially assumed the chairmanship of BIMSTEC for the next two years today, reaffirming its commitment to promoting regional cooperation and sustainable development.
The handover took place at the conclusion of the 6th BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok, where leaders from the seven-member regional bloc, including Bangladesh's Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, were present.
BIMSTEC members include Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. The summit focused on pressing regional issues under the theme "Prosperous, Resilient, and Open BIMSTEC."
Upon receiving the chairmanship from Thailand’s Prime Minister, Prof. Yunus delivered a statement of acceptance, emphasizing a vision of an inclusive and action-oriented BIMSTEC, according to a press release from the Foreign Ministry.
The Heads of Government of BIMSTEC Member States unanimously adopted the Bangkok Declaration and the BIMSTEC Bangkok Vision, a strategic roadmap aimed at steering the organization toward sustainable development and deeper economic integration.
In his statement, Chief Adviser Prof. Yunus outlined Bangladesh’s vision and priorities for BIMSTEC. He reiterated Bangladesh's commitment to safeguarding the constitutional rights of all citizens, including women and minorities, and stressed the importance of implementing the BIMSTEC Free Trade Agreement and the Master Plan on Transport Connectivity.
Prof. Yunus also called for more proactive efforts by BIMSTEC to engage Myanmar in addressing instability in the Rakhine State, which would help create conditions for the return of the displaced Rohingyas.
As per BIMSTEC’s charter, the chairmanship rotates alphabetically among the member states. Established in 1997, BIMSTEC has become a key platform for regional collaboration, particularly in trade, technology, transport, energy, and counterterrorism.
Under Bangladesh’s leadership, the country is expected to prioritize trade facilitation, infrastructure connectivity, and climate resilience among member states, according to sources from the BIMSTEC Secretariat in Dhaka. With Bangladesh at the helm, the nation aims to drive the organization’s agenda forward, strengthening its role in fostering economic growth and stability in the Bay of Bengal region.