The 6th and final Meeting of the Eminent Persons’ Group (EPG) on the Future Directions of BIMSTEC was held on 10-12 September 2024 at the BIMSTEC Secretariat in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It was chaired by Dr. Soonthorn Chaiyindeepum, member of the EPG from Thailand, which is the current Chair of BIMSTEC. The members of EPG from all BIMSTEC member States attended the Meeting. The BIMSTEC Secretariat, led by H.E. Indra Mani Pandey, Secretary General, facilitated the Meeting and assisted the EPG in its deliberations.
The Chair of the EPG has submitted the Report of the EPG to the Chair of BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting, Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, H.E. Mr. Maris Sangiampongsa. A copy of the Report has been presented to the Secretary General of BIMSTEC. The Report of the EPG will be submitted to the BIMSTEC Leaders at their next Summit.
The Report of EPG includes recommendations to reform, revitalize, and repurpose BIMSTEC. In preparing its Report, the EPG has thoroughly reviewed the existing regional cooperation within BIMSTEC in all Sectors. It was mindful of the vision and goals outlined in Bangkok Declaration, BIMSTEC Charter, Bangkok Vision 2030, BIMSTEC Summit Declarations and UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It undertook a comprehensive review of the existing institutional framework of BIMSTEC and engaged in consultations with the various stakeholders.
BIMSTEC, which is poised to transform itself into a vibrant and resilient regional organization comprises seven countries of the Bay of Bengal region: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand. It pursues regional cooperation under seven broad pillars: Agriculture and Food Security; Connectivity; Environment and Climate Change; People to People Contact; Science, Technology and Innovation; Security; and Trade, Investment and Development. The cooperation also covers 8 sub-sectors: Blue Economy, Mountain Economy, Energy, Disaster Management, Fisheries and Livestock, Poverty alleviation, Health and Human Resource Development.
***
Share
Share