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The 6ᵗʰ BIMSTEC Summit and Related Meetings – Day 3

On 4 April 2025, H.E. Ms. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Prime Minister, chaired the 6ᵗʰ BIMSTEC Summit. This provided an important platform for discussions aimed at enhancing regional cooperation and maximising BIMSTEC’s potential as a unique framework connecting South and Southeast Asia.

The successfully concluded 6ᵗʰ BIMSTEC Summit and Related Meetings marked the completion of Thailand’s chairmanship of BIMSTEC. The leaders of the seven BIMSTEC Member States adopted key outcome documents, notably the 6ᵗʰ BIMSTEC Summit Declaration and the “BIMSTEC Bangkok Vision 2030,” which sets a strategic framework for a “Prosperous, Resilient, and Open BIMSTEC” or PRO BIMSTEC by 2030. The Summit achieved a number of tangible results in the main areas that are aligned with Thailand’s priorities:

(1) A Prosperous BIMSTEC: This includes the signing of the Agreement on Maritime Transport Cooperation, which will reduce shipping costs and improve supply chain efficiency, enabling Thai products to be more competitive and expanding new opportunities, particularly in South Asia.

(2) A Resilient BIMSTEC: This will support cooperation on non-traditional security issues such as transnational crimes. The leaders also adopted the “BIMSTEC Leaders’ Joint Statement on the Impact of the Earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand on 28 March 2025,” proposed by Thailand, reaffirming the collaboration in disaster management.

(3) An Open BIMSTEC: This focuses on promoting the role of the private sector and enhancing people-to-people contact. On 3 April 2025, Thailand also organised the BIMSTEC Young Gen Forum, to further empower the next generation of young entrepreneurs from across the region.

At the conclusion of the Summit, Thailand handed over the BIMSTEC Chairmanship to Bangladesh to continue advancing the organisation’s goals and work towards realising the objectives outlined in the BIMSTEC Bangkok Vision 2030.

Afterwards, the Prime Minister gave a Press Conference on the outcomes of the 6ᵗʰ BIMSTEC Summit.

BIMSTEC Young Gen Forum: Where the Future Meets

On 24 January 2025, Mr. Paisan Rupanichkij, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, had a discussion with Mr. Indra Mani Pandey, Secretary General of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) during his visit to Thailand.

Both sides discussed prepations for the 6th BIMSTEC Summit and related meetings, during 2 – 4 April 2025 in Bangkok, as well as key deliverables for the upcoming Summit, including the BIMSTEC Bangkok Vision 2030, the Report of the Eminent Persons’ Group on the Future Direction of BIMSTEC and the BIMSTEC Summit Declaration. On this occasion, the Deputy Permanent Secretary underscored the importance of finalising the BIMSTEC Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which is expected to significantly enhance intra-regional trade among member countries. He also highlighted Thailand’s commitment to advancing regional connectivity, noting Thailand’s lead role in this area. BIMSTEC serves as a vital bridge linking South Asia and Southeast Asia, fostering closer economic, social and cultural ties across the region.

The 6ᵗʰ BIMSTEC Summit and Related Meetings – Day 2

On 3 April 2025, the second day of the 6ᵗʰ BIMSTEC Summit and Related Meetings being held in Bangkok, in the morning, H.E. Mr. Maris Sangiampongsa, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, chaired the 20ᵗʰ BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting, with H.E. Mr. Chutintorn Gongsakdi, Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, attending as representative of Thailand’s Minister.

The Meeting deliberated on important documents and decisions in preparation for the 6ᵗʰ BIMSTEC Summit to be held on 4 April 2025. The Ministers endorsed 19 key documents; including Plans of Action in the various sectors of cooperation including Science, Technology and Innovation, and Human Resource Development. Notably, discussions were also held to enhance efforts on disaster management cooperation, especially in relation to the impact of the earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand on 28 March 2025.

Prior to the Meeting, the Ministers signed the BIMSTEC Agreement on Maritime Transport Cooperation, which will strengthen maritime connectivity within the BIMSTEC region. Also, the Memorandum of Understanding between BIMSTEC and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), and the Memorandum of Understanding between BIMSTEC and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), were signed. The two Memoranda of Understanding will tighten inter-organisational cooperation and enhance BIMSTEC’s role in the international arena.

In the afternoon, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, co-organised with TNN World the “BIMSTEC Young Gen Forum: Where the Future Meets” at ICONSIAM, Bangkok. This event was held at the margins of the 6ᵗʰ BIMSTEC Summit by Thailand’s initiative, and served as a platform for young entrepreneurs from BIMSTEC Member States to exchange visions, share experiences, and build networks across seven key areas of BIMSTEC. The event also welcomed His Excellency Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, as the keynote speaker, where he emphasised the innovative character of the new generation, the importance of starting small and replicating, upscaling and impacting change, the importance of imagination, purpose in life and social enterprise.

In the evening, H.E. Ms. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Prime Minister, hosted the Official Dinner of the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, prior to the Summit that will take place on 4 April 2025. The evening featured cultural performances titled “Wealthy Bengal”, “Rice Blessing Dance”, and “Kinnaree Classical Dance” by the Bunditpatanasilpa Institute of the Ministry of Culture. These performances reflect Thai cultural identities, as well as the ways of life and aspirations of the Member States and the BIMSTEC grouping.

The 6ᵗʰ BIMSTEC Summit and Related Meetings – Day 1

On 2 April 2025, the first day of the 6th BIMSTEC Summit and Related Meetings, Thailand, as BIMSTEC Chair, hosted the 25ᵗʰ Session of the BIMSTEC Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) in Bangkok. Mrs. Eksiri Pintaruchi, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs and SOM chair, chaired the Meeting while Ms. Rujikorn Saengchantr, Director-General of the Department of International Economic Affairs, attended as Thailand’s Senior Official.

The Meeting deliberated on important documents and decisions in preparation for the 6ᵗʰ BIMSTEC Summit to be held on 4 April 2025. The meeting also took note of progress made under the BIMSTEC’s seven sectors of cooperation, namely: (1) Trade, Investment and Development; (2) Environment and Climate Change; (3) Security; (4) Agriculture and Food Security; (5) People-to-People Contact; (6) Science, Technology, and Innovation; and (7) Connectivity. As Lead Country on Connectivity, Thailand highlighted the importance of the Agreement on Maritime Transport Cooperation and the completion of the India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway, and presented the “Bangkok Vision 2030” based on the concept of Prosperous, Resilient and Open BIMSTEC (‘PRO BIMSTEC’), which will serve as the theme in driving forward the agenda of BIMSTEC. The Meeting further discussed administrative and financial issues of BIMSTEC, considered important documents, and noted reports on various BIMSTEC Centres. At the Meeting, all BIMSTEC members expressed solidarity with Myanmar and Thailand following the recent earthquake.

The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), founded in 1997, comprises seven Member States, namely, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand. BIMSTEC aims to promote economic development and resiliency through regional cooperation.

Deputy Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs welcomed BIMSTEC Secretary General

On 24 January 2025, Mr. Paisan Rupanichkij, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, had a discussion with Mr. Indra Mani Pandey, Secretary General of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) during his visit to Thailand.

Both sides discussed prepations for the 6th BIMSTEC Summit and related meetings, during 2 – 4 April 2025 in Bangkok, as well as key deliverables for the upcoming Summit, including the BIMSTEC Bangkok Vision 2030, the Report of the Eminent Persons’ Group on the Future Direction of BIMSTEC and the BIMSTEC Summit Declaration. On this occasion, the Deputy Permanent Secretary underscored the importance of finalising the BIMSTEC Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which is expected to significantly enhance intra-regional trade among member countries. He also highlighted Thailand’s commitment to advancing regional connectivity, noting Thailand’s lead role in this area. BIMSTEC serves as a vital bridge linking South Asia and Southeast Asia, fostering closer economic, social and cultural ties across the region.

Thailand hosted the 24th BIMSTEC Senior Officials’ Meeting

On 19 December 2024, Thailand, as Chair of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), hosted the 24th BIMSTEC Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) virtually. The meeting was chaired by H.E. Mr. Paisan Rupanichkij, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, with Ms. Rujikorn Saengchantr, Director-General of the Department of International Economic Affairs, attending as Thailand’s Senior Official.

At the meeting, Thailand proposed the establishment of 1) the BIMSTEC Centre of Excellence in Tropical Medicine and Public Health, aimed at addressing tropical health challenges in the region. 2) the BIMSTEC Excellence Centre in Public Audit (BECPA), designed to enhance regional cooperation among Supreme Audit Institutions and improve public sector accountability across Member States.

The Meeting also reviewed several documents relating to external partners, including the Permanent Observer Status of BIMSTEC at the United Nations and Cooperation between BIMSTEC and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN.

Moreover, Thailand informed the Meeting of its proposed schedule for the 6th BIMSTEC Summit and its preceding meetings in April 2025.

The BIMSTEC Senior Officials’ Meeting serves as a core mechanism responsible for preparation for the BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting, which includes reviewing the progress of various sectors of cooperation, and endorsing relevant documents for consideration by the Ministers.

Thailand hosts 7th Meeting of BIMSTEC Permanent Working Committee

Ms. Rujikorn Saengchantr, Acting Director-General of the Department of International Economic Affairs, chaired the 7th Meeting of BIMSTEC Permanent Working Committee, virtually, on 1 August 2024 in Bangkok, in preparation for the 6th BIMSTEC Summit that Thailand is scheduled to host on 4 September this year.

The Meeting deliberated on the documents relating to the forthcoming BIMSTEC Summit and related meetings, namely: (1) Sixth BIMSTEC Summit Declaration; (2) Concept Note on BIMSTEC Home Minister’s Meeting; (3) Concept Note on Establishment of BIMSTEC Expert Group on Fiscal and Monetary Policy and (4) Rules of Procedure for BIMSTEC Climate and Weather Centre (BCWC). These outcome documents will enhance the cooperation of BIMSTEC mechanism by creating complementarities among BIMSTEC Member States, enabling Bay of Bengal to move towards an outcome-oriented region.

Since assuming the BIMSTEC Chairmanship in 2022, Thailand has hosted four rounds of BIMSTEC Permanent Working Committee meetings. The aforementioned outcome documents will be submitted to the 24th BIMSTEC Senior Officials’ Meeting, the 20th BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting and the 6th BIMSTEC Summit for further consideration.

Minister of Foreign Affairs attends 2nd BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers’ Retreat in New Delhi

On 11 July 2024, H.E. Mr. Maris Sangiampongsa, Minister of Foreign Affairs, attended the Second BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers’ Retreat in New Delhi, India. The meeting was chaired by the Minister of External Affairs of India and participated by Foreign Ministers of Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Myanmar, State Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Nepal, and BIMSTEC Secretary-General. The meeting discussed ways to enhance BIMSTEC in various issues such as sustainable development, digital economy, disaster management.    

The Minister of Foreign Affairs underlined the need of BIMSTEC to enhance cooperation on non-traditional security issues namely; (1) Food Security: by efficiently and sustainably harnessing rich and resourceful Bay of Bengal, particularly fishery resources; (2) Human Security: through the comprehensive promotion of medical tourism and education; and (3) Energy Security: by deepening the cooperation on clean and renewable energy. He also reiterated Thailand’s willingness to share expertise on those areas with all Member States to forge a more prosperous and sustainable future of BIMSTEC.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs also underlined Thailand’s strategic role as a connector between BIMSTEC and ASEAN, linking South Asian and Southeast Asian markets with the combined population of more than 4 billion. He also stressed Thailand’s readiness, as Chair of BIMSTEC, to host the 6th BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok on the 4th September this year, and emphasized the role of private sector as a key player in translating policies and recommendations into concreate and tangible outcomes. In this regard, Thailand proposed to host the BIMSTEC Young Entrepreneur Forum in parallel with the Summit. The forum will be a platform for BIMSTEC’s new generations to exchanges views on new business ideas. 

On this occasion, the Minister of Foreign Affairs also paid a joint courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India and reaffirmed Thailand’s readiness to welcome the Prime Minister to the Summit in Bangkok. At the same time, Prime Minister Modi also sends his warm regards to the Prime Minister of Thailand.

Fifth Meeting of the Eminent Persons’ Group on the Future Directions of BIMSTEC (16-19 July 2024)

On 16 – 19 July 2024, H.E. Mr. Soonthorn Chaiyindeepum, Eminent Person from Thailand, chaired the Fifth Meeting of the Eminent Persons’ Group (EPG) on the Future Direction of BIMSTEC to continue the work, building upon the progress made at the last Meeting in June 2024.

The meeting extensively deliberated on the draft Report of the EPG, which will serve as a key guiding document for the advancement of BIMSTEC towards the future. The report will provide a strategic roadmap for BIMSTEC to realise its goal in addressing the current challenges and achieve regional integration, sustainable development and security of the Bay of Bengal region.

The EPG will hold its final meeting on 11 August 2024 to conclude the report and submit to the BIMSEC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting for consideration before further transmit to the Leaders at a Summit to be held on 4th September 2024 in Bangkok.

The Fourth Meeting of the Eminent Persons’ Group on the Future Directions of BIMSTEC

On 25 – 27 June 2024, H.E. Mr. Soonthorn Chaiyindeepum, Eminent Person from Thailand, chaired the Fourth Meeting of the Eminent Persons’ Group (EPG) on the Future Directions of BIMSTEC at the BIMSTEC Secretariat in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The Meeting was held to discuss recommendations for the future cooperation of BIMSTEC, building upon the success of previous meeting in May 2024.

The meeting discussed ways to strengthen BIMSTEC sectoral cooperation, particularly Trade Investment and Development Sector and Security Sector, exchanged views on enhancing BIMSTEC’s institutional strength, and deliberated on the work plan of BIMSTEC to ensure its alignment with the Bangkok Vision 2023.

The Eminent Persons also held a virtual meeting with BIMSTEC’s stakeholders, namely (1) Former Secretary-General of BIMSTEC, (2) BIMSTEC Network of Policy Think Tanks and, (3) Chamber of Commerce and Industry of BIMSTEC Member States, to share ideas on various areas such as the role of BIMSTEC Secretariat, BIMSTEC’s civil society engagement, the prospect of BIMSTEC FTA, and the role of private sector.

The Eminent Persons’ Group was an initiative endorsed by the Leaders at the BIMSTEC Leaders Retreat in Gao, India 2016, aiming at transforming BIMSTEC into a more result-oriented organization. The EPG is assigned to review the work of BIMSTEC and provide practical recommendations on the future directions of BIMSTEC that are aligned with the Bangkok Vision 2030. These recommendations will be submitted to the Leaders at the Sixth BIMSTEC Summit, hosted by Thailand in September 2024.