The Secretariat of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) in Dhaka hosted a Reception on 06 June 2024 to Celebrate the Foundation of BIMSTEC with the signing of the Bangkok Declaration, on 06 June 1997.
Chief Guest, H.E. Dr. Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, Bir Bikram, Adviser to Honourable Prime Minister of Bangladesh for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Affairs, was joined by other ministers, state ministers, secretaries, ambassadors and high commissioners, heads of international organizations, members of diplomatic corps, officials of the Government of Bangladesh, media personnel representative of think tanks, members of the BIMSTEC Secretariat and others.
Welcoming the guests at the Reception, Secretary General of BIMSTEC, H.E. Indra Mani Pandey, thanked the Chief Guest and other esteemed dignitaries and guests for their presence. He extended, on behalf of the Secretariat, greetings and felicitations to the Governments and People of the BIMSTEC member States. He highlighted the key achievements of BIMSTEC, since its establishment, and stressed the significance of the entry into force of the BIMSTEC Charter on 20th May 2024, which would provide the requisite impetus for expanding and deepening regional cooperation in the Bay of Bengal region and empower the BIMSTEC to engage with its external partners to foster mutually beneficial partnerships.
The Chief Guest, H.E. Dr. Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, spoke about the pioneering role of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh in establishing the BIMSTEC and hosting the BIMSTEC Secretariat in Dhaka. He expressed hope that the BIMSTEC would emerge as an effective and vibrant organization, capable of delivering and fulfilling the aspirations of the people of the region. He called upon the BIMSTEC member States and development partners to work together for the benefit of the people of the Bay of Bengal region.
In their messages marking the occasion, the Leaders of the BIMSTEC member States echoed the same sentiments and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen regional cooperation through BIMSTEC.
BIMSTEC comprises seven countries of the Bay of Bengal region: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand. It pursues regional cooperation in the following seven sectors: Agriculture and Food Security; Connectivity; Environment and Climate Change; People to People Contact; Science, Technology and Innovation; Security; and Trade, Investment and Development.