Dhaka: BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) Secretariat hosted a reception to commemorate its 28th anniversary on Monday evening. Planning adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud graced the event as the Chief Guest, with Fisheries and Livestock adviser Farida Akhtar also in attendance. Mahmud highlighted the importance of regional collaboration for achieving peace and prosperity in the Bay of Bengal region. He praised BIMSTEC's development into a unique platform that connects South and Southeast Asia, aiming to fulfill shared goals and address mutual challenges. He reiterated Bangladesh's commitment to regional cooperation and expressed optimism about BIMSTEC's future as a dynamic organization delivering tangible benefits.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, BIMSTEC Secretary General Indra Mani Pandey acknowledged the significant progress made by the organization in fostering regional cooperation across various sectors since its establishment. Reflecting on BIMSTEC's 28-year journey, Pandey emphasized the outcomes of the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, where leaders adopted the BIMSTEC Bangkok Vision 2030. This vision provides a roadmap for building a prosperous, resilient, and open BIMSTEC. The summit also saw the signing of the Agreement on Maritime Transport Cooperation and Memoranda of Understanding with its developmental partners, the Indian Ocean Rim Association and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
As part of the celebration, BIMSTEC member states exhibited the cultural unity of the Bay of Bengal region through dance performances, artifact exhibitions, and march pasts with national flags. The event was attended by secretaries, ambassadors, high commissioners, international organization heads, government officials, media personnel, think tank representatives, and members of the BIMSTEC Secretariat.
The BIMSTEC Secretariat, based in Dhaka since September 2014, remains dedicated to supporting member states in implementing leaders' decisions. The celebration underscored BIMSTEC's growing importance as a regional platform for peace, prosperity, and development in the Bay of Bengal area, demonstrating the commitment of member states to its success.
BIMSTEC includes seven countries from the Bay of Bengal region: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.