Dhaka: State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir has urged BIMSTEC member states to look beyond bilateral tensions and widen regional engagement, stressing mutual trust, political will, and a shared sense of purpose to make the grouping more effective. "For BIMSTEC to be successful, we must not dwell on bilateral tensions but widen the net of engagement," he said.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the state minister was speaking at a reception hosted by BIMSTEC Secretary General Indra Mani Pandey and his spouse Sushma Pandey at a hotel in Dhaka, marking BIMSTEC Secretariat Establishment Day on Monday evening. Diplomats, including representatives from BIMSTEC member states, business leaders, civil society representatives, and senior journalists attended the reception.
Kobir stated that Bangladesh would work closely with all member states and the BIMSTEC Secretariat in the coming months to advance implementation across various mechanisms and prepare for the next BIMSTEC Summit, which Bangladesh is expected to host in Dhaka in 2027. The summit of heads of state and government in Dhaka would provide an important opportunity to review progress, set new priorities, and give further political direction to the common regional agenda, he said.
"I am confident that BIMSTEC can become an even more dynamic bridge between South and Southeast Asia and a strong force for regional peace, progress, and sustainable development," Kobir said. On behalf of the government and people of Bangladesh, he extended warm felicitations to the governments and peoples of all BIMSTEC member states on the occasion.
He emphasized the importance of regional cooperation despite differences, highlighting the need for tenacity, vision, and mutual trust to address challenges and achieve success. Kobir appreciated the BIMSTEC secretary general and his team for their commitment and service to the regional endeavor.
Kobir remarked on the establishment of the BIMSTEC Secretariat in Dhaka 12 years ago, which marked a significant step in the institutional development of the regional grouping. Over the past 12 years, the Secretariat evolved into the central coordinating hub of BIMSTEC, supporting member states, facilitating sectoral cooperation, and helping translate decisions into practical programs.
The state minister mentioned that the Bay of Bengal had connected the peoples of South and Southeast Asia for centuries. He noted that BIMSTEC gives contemporary institutional form to these historic connections. The seven BIMSTEC member states together represent a vast pool of people, resources, talent, and economic potential, he said.
Kobir stressed the importance of transforming shared geography into shared prosperity. He pointed out that economic uncertainty, fragmented supply chains, climate change, energy insecurity, public health risks, cyber threats, transnational crime, and humanitarian challenges cannot be addressed effectively in isolation. A stronger BIMSTEC is therefore a strategic necessity for the peace, resilience, and prosperity of the region.
Bangladesh assumed the BIMSTEC chairmanship with a commitment to making the organization more functional, visible, inclusive, and people-centered. Kobir highlighted the importance of strengthening regional economic integration, expanding connectivity, promoting sustainable use of marine resources, and creating opportunities for businesses and people.
He emphasized progress towards the BIMSTEC Free Trade Area and the blue economy, describing the Bay of Bengal as a significant shared asset with potential in fisheries, shipping routes, renewable energy, marine biodiversity, and tourism. Connectivity must be central to the BIMSTEC project, requiring sustained implementation and stronger engagement with the private sector and development partners.
Kobir underscored the need for cooperation in counterterrorism, transnational crime, human trafficking, narcotics, cybersecurity, disaster management, and maritime security. He also emphasized the importance of people-to-people connectivity through tourism, education, culture, youth exchanges, and professional networks.
As the current chair of BIMSTEC and host country of the BIMSTEC Secretariat, Bangladesh's responsibility extends beyond convening meetings. Kobir said Bangladesh would work with all member states and the Secretariat to advance implementation and prepare for the 2027 summit in Dhaka. "Regional instruments like BIMSTEC can work as diplomatic enablers for regional engagement and cooperation," he said.