The BIMSTEC Senior Officials’ Meeting shall comprise the Foreign Secretaries/ Secretaries/ appropriate Senior Officials nominated by the BIMSTEC Member States.

The Senior Officials’ Meeting shall have the following powers and functions:

• Prepare for the BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting
• Follow up and coordinate the implementation of agreements
• Coordinate with the Sectoral Bodies in Sectors where there is no Ministerial body
• Initiate proposals on all administrative and budgetary matters for the consideration of the Ministerial Meeting
• Undertake such other functions as may be assigned by the Ministerial Meeting
• Assess and approve and take action on the deliberations of the BIMSTEC Permanent Working Committee

The BIMSTEC Senior Officials’ Meeting shall be:

• Held once a year, preceding the BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting to be hosted by the Member State holding the BIMSTEC Chairmanship; and
• Convened, whenever necessary, as special session of the Senior Officials’ Meeting to be chaired by the Member State holding the BIMSTEC Chairmanship, at a venue to be agreed upon by BIMSTEC Member States

The Senior Officials’ Meeting shall report to the BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting.