Dhaka, June 7, 2024 — Dr. Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, the Prime Minister’s Adviser for Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources, has called on BIMSTEC member states and development partners to collaborate for the betterment of the Bay of Bengal region.

Highlighting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s pivotal role in founding BIMSTEC, Dr. Chowdhury emphasized the need for collective effort to make the organization a dynamic and effective entity that meets the aspirations of the region’s people.

At a recent reception celebrating the 27th anniversary of the Bangkok Declaration, which established BIMSTEC, Dr. Chowdhury was joined by ministers, state ministers, secretaries, ambassadors, high commissioners, and representatives from international organizations, diplomatic corps, think tanks, and the BIMSTEC Secretariat.

BIMSTEC Secretary General Indra Mani Pandey extended greetings and praised the achievements of the organization since its inception. He stressed the importance of the BIMSTEC Charter, which came into force on May 20, 2024, in expanding and deepening regional cooperation. The Charter is expected to empower BIMSTEC to engage more effectively with external partners.

Leaders from the BIMSTEC member states—Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand—reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening regional cooperation through BIMSTEC in their messages marking the occasion.

BIMSTEC focuses on seven key sectors: Agriculture and Food Security, Connectivity, Environment and Climate Change, People-to-People Contact, Science, Technology and Innovation, Security, and Trade, Investment, and Development.