The Secretariat of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) celebrated 11th anniversary of its establishment on 15 September 2025.

H.E. Asad Alam Siam, Foreign Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, graced the celebration as its Chief Guest, together with Ambassadors and High Commissioners, including from the BIMSTEC member States; members from business, media, think tanks, culture and academic communities; developmental partners; and members of the BIMSTEC Secretariat, etc.

Welcoming the guests, BIMSTEC Secretary General, H.E. Indra Mani Pandey, highlighted the Secretariat’s role in facilitating consultation, coordination and cooperation amongst the members, aimed at implementing the vast agenda of regional cooperation under BIMSTEC. He noted that, over the past eleven years, the Secretariat has emerged as the anchor for forging cooperation, supporting member States in advancing the shared regional cooperation goals. Secretary General also expressed deep appreciation of the support of the Government of Bangladesh in hosting the Secretariat in Dhaka.

In his remarks, Chief Guest, H.E. Asad Alam Siam, highlighted BIMSTEC’s achievements in advancing regional cooperation across various sectors such as connectivity, trade, energy, security, climate change, health and disaster management. As the current Chair of BIMSTEC, he reaffirmed Bangladesh’s unwavering commitment to BIMSTEC and reiterated its full support to the BIMSTEC Secretariat in fulfilling its mandate and securing the shared interests of all the member States. Mr. Asad Alam Siam, speaking on behalf of Bangladesh as the Lead Country for Trade, Investment and Development, called upon all BIMSTEC member States to extend their full support for early finalisation and implementation of the BIMSTEC Free Trade Area (FTA).

The BIMSTEC Secretariat was established on 13 September 2014 in Dhaka pursuant to decision of the 3rd BIMSTEC Summit held in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar. The Secretariat is headed by Secretary General. It implements the decisions and directives of the member States and monitors and reports on the progress in regional cooperation under BIMSTEC, contributing to realisation of the shared vision of a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable Bay of Bengal region.

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