BIMSTEC Secretary General Indra Mani Pandey on Saturday said the Bay of Bengal regional grouping is poised to emerge as a dynamic and successful platform for regional cooperation and a shining example of South-South collaboration.
In a message marking BIMSTEC Day, Pandey said the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is expected to play a crucial role in ensuring security and sustainable development of its member states.
He said the organization is undergoing a process of reform and revitalization through the implementation of recommendations contained in the report of the Eminent Persons’ Group (EPG), aimed at strengthening regional cooperation and enhancing the effectiveness of the grouping.
The Secretary General noted that BIMSTEC is increasingly emerging as a shining example of South-South cooperation and regional partnership.
Highlighting the organization’s growing international engagement, Pandey said BIMSTEC remains open to developing partnerships with other regional organizations as well as the United Nations and other international bodies.
He expressed deep gratitude to the member states for their continued guidance and support to the BIMSTEC Secretariat, reaffirming the Secretariat’s commitment to advancing the objectives and vision of the regional grouping.
BIMSTEC comprises seven member states - Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand - and serves as a key platform for promoting regional cooperation across the Bay of Bengal region.