The Second Meeting of the BIMSTEC Expert Group on Cultural Cooperation (2nd BEGCC) was held on 31 March 2024 in Lalitpur, Nepal.  Addressing the opening session, Dr. Dipak Kaphle, Secretary for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation of the Government of Nepal highlighted the rich cultural diversity and heritage of the region and the importance of regional cultural cooperation for their further promotion and development.

The Meeting discussed and finalised the Draft Plan of Action on Culture which outlines specific actions across five themes for the preservation and promotion of tangible and intangible cultural heritages of the member States in sustainable ways.

The Meeting also finalised the Terms of Reference (ToR) of the Expert Group on Cultural Cooperation for submission to the next BIMSTEC Senior Officials’ Meeting on Culture.

The Meeting was chaired by Dr. Suresh Suras Shrestha, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation of Nepal, and attended by representatives from all BIMSTEC member States.