Dr Yunus suggests BIMSTEC youth festival for increased engagement

Dr. Younus at a meeting on sidelines of BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Friday asked the BIMSTEC secretariat to take the initiative for a BIMSTEC youth festival to increase engagement among the young boys and girls of member states.

Dr Yunus gave the directive to BIMSTEC Secretary General Indra Mani Pandey soon after he assumed the role of new BIMSTEC chairman at the end of its sixth summit.

Mani, a former Indian diplomat, called on the Chief Adviser at the end of the summit to discuss the future initiatives of the organisation.

The Chief Adviser also asked Mani to ensure a separate youth gathering when BIMSTEC held its next summit in Dhaka two years later, CA's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder told UNB.

“We should have a separate meeting for youth when BIMSTEC leaders meet. This will bring young people of member countries together,” said Professor Yunus.

“Also, BIMSTEC should hold a youth festival where each country will do their part and one country will take the lead. Youth festival will again bring young boys and girls together,” he said.

Mani welcomed the ideas and pledged to work on those.

“These are fantastic ideas. We will work on these ideas with our full attention,” he said.

The Chief Adviser also inquired from BIMSTEC secretary general about Free Trade Agreement negotiations status among the member states.

The BIMSTEC secretary general informed the Chief Adviser that they were working to hold a meeting of commerce and trade ministers of member countries, which had not been held in 21 years, with the last such meeting taking place in 2004.

The Chief Adviser also asked the BIMSTEC secretary general to prepare an annual calendar of meetings planned for a better outcome.

The sixth BIMSTEC Summit was held in Bangkok on Friday, with leaders from seven member countries attending.

Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra handed over the chairmanship of BIMSTEC to Prof Yunus at the end of the Summit. - UNB