BIISS Hosts Seminar on Three Decades of BIMSTEC, Calls for Stronger Regional Cooperation

Photo: CNI

Diplomatic Correspondent: The Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) on Monday organised a seminar titled "Three Decades of BIMSTEC: Advancing Regional Cooperation for Shared Prosperity" at its auditorium in Dhaka, bringing together policymakers, diplomats, academics, and regional experts to discuss the future of BIMSTEC and regional integration. 

The seminar was held in the context of Bangladesh's current Chairmanship of BIMSTEC and aimed to promote informed policy dialogue on strengthening regional cooperation for shared prosperity.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam, MP, attended the event as the Chief Guest, while BIMSTEC Secretary General Ambassador Indra Mani Pandey joined as the Special Guest. BIISS Director General Major General A S M Ridwanur Rahman delivered the welcome address, and Dr Mahfuz Kabir, Research Director of BIISS, presented the keynote paper. The session was chaired by Major General A N M Muniruzzaman (Retd.), President of the Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies (BIPSS). 

Speakers reviewed BIMSTEC's achievements over the past three decades and discussed the opportunities and challenges facing the regional organisation. The discussions highlighted the need to strengthen institutional capacity, improve regional connectivity, expand economic cooperation, and enhance collaboration across BIMSTEC's priority sectors to promote peace, stability, resilience, and sustainable development in the Bay of Bengal region. 

Addressing the seminar, Ambassador Indra Mani Pandey outlined BIMSTEC's ongoing initiatives in areas including women's empowerment, climate adaptation, energy connectivity, cybersecurity, maritime and human security, counterterrorism, tourism, visa facilitation, trade, and investment. 

In her remarks, State Minister Shama Obaed Islam reaffirmed Bangladesh's commitment to a peaceful, resilient, and prosperous Bay of Bengal region. She stressed the importance of translating regional commitments into concrete actions through stronger implementation, practical cooperation, and robust institutional mechanisms. She also reiterated Bangladesh's commitment, as the current BIMSTEC Chair, to advancing economic integration, connectivity, trade, investment, the Blue Economy, and people-centric regional cooperation. 

The seminar concluded with an interactive discussion involving senior government officials, ambassadors and high commissioners, representatives of BIMSTEC member states and international organisations, academics, researchers, students, members of the armed forces, development partners, private-sector stakeholders, media professionals, and policy practitioners.