Bimstec poised to emerge as dynamic, successful platform for forging regional cooperation: SG

Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (Bimstec) Secretary General Indra Mani Pandey has said Bimstec is poised to emerge as a dynamic and successful platform for forging regional cooperation and to play a crucial role in realising security and sustainable development of its member states. 

"It is also emerging as a shining example of South-South cooperation," he said, noting the measures being taken to reform and revitalise it, including through implementation of the recommendations contained in the Report of the Eminent Persons' Group.

In a message, marking the Bimstec Day, the secretary general said Bimstec is open to engage in partnerships with other regional organisations as well as UN and international organisations. 

He expressed his deep gratitude to the Bimstec member states for their continued guidance and support to the Bimstec Secretariat. 

"The secretariat remains fully committed to carrying out the tasks entrusted to it in a timely, efficient and effective manner and supporting the member States in translating their shared vision for regional cooperation into tangible outcomes," said the secretary general.

In order to institutionalise cooperation in various sectors, Bimstec has established centres of excellence, such as Bimstec Centre for Weather and and Climate and Bimstec Energy Centre, both in India.

Further, the SG said Bimstec Cultural Industries Observatory has been set up in Paro, Bhutan, and Bimstec Technology Transfer Facility is being set up in Colombo, Sri Lanka. 

Eight more centres of excellence are being set up in order to enhance regional cooperation in areas of agriculture, culture and tourism, disaster management, sustainable maritime transport, skill development, tropical medicine, traditional medicine, Supreme Audit Institutions etc.

The secretary general said Bimstec has already concluded two Conventions: Bimstec Convention on Cooperation in Combating International Terrorism, Transnational Organised Crime and Illicit Drug Trafficking, which has entered into force since March 2021, and Bimstec Convention on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, which has not yet entered into force. Three more conventions on extradition; human trafficking; and transfer of sentenced persons are being concluded. 

The Bimstec Agreement on Maritime Transport Cooperation, which was signed in April 2025, has entered into force for the four member states, which have ratified it, Secretary General Pandey said.

Besides, a number of MoUs and MoAs have also been concluded. 

Bimstec has been seeking developmental partnerships with the non-members as well as the UN, international and regional organisations. 

The secretary general, on the occasion of 29th anniversary of Bimstec, extended, on behalf of the Bimstec Secretariat, his warm greetings and best wishes to the governments and peoples of the member states (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand).

Bimstec member states, located contiguous and close to Bay of Bengal, the largest bay of the world, face similar developmental and transnational security challenges, which, they realise, they cannot deal with alone. 

"Hence, they are keen to forge regional cooperation under Bimstec," said the SG.

He said their shared historical experiences, cultural linkages and civilization legacies provide a strong foundation for forging regional cooperation. 

A significant part of global trade and energy flows through the waters of Bay of Bengal. Since its inception, 29 years ago, Bimstec has made significant progress. 

It has adopted its own charter and has institutionalised the requisite core and sectoral mechanisms for forging regional cooperation.