The First Meeting of the BIMSTEC Inter-governmental Expert Group on Mountain Economy (IEG-ME) was held  from April 23-24, 2024 in Thimphu, Bhutan.

The Meeting was chaired by Mr. Tenzin Wangchuk, Chief Environment Officer, Climate Change Division, Department of Environment and Climate Change, Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Royal Government of Bhutan with participation of representatives from all BIMSTEC member States.  

The Meeting finalized the Terms of Reference of IEG-ME, and the Concept Note and  Plan of Action on BIMSTEC Mountain Economy. The Plan of Action outlines the following five priority areas:

1.    Developing Compact Mountain Settlements;
2.    Enhancing Mountain Connectivity;
3.    Promoting Clean Renewable Energy;
4.    Protecting Mountain Environments and Ensuring Ecosystem Services; and
5.    Fostering Mountain Tourism and Green (agro and forest-based) enterprises.

Mountain Economy is a sub-sector under the Environment and Climate Change Sector  with Bhutan as the lead country and the IEG-ME was established in 2023.

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.

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