BIMSTEC SOM finalizes theme of fourth Summit

KATHMANDU Aug 11: The special meeting of senior officials of the BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) concluded on Saturda has agreed to recommend a theme ‘towards a peaceful Bay of Bengal for upcoming fourth Summit.

Foreign Secretary Shankar Das Bairagi presided over the meeting organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal. The secretary-general of the BIMSTEC and all the representatives of the member states of the sub-regional body and took part in the meeting.

The purpose of the meeting was to facilitate preparations for making the upcoming Summit scheduled for August 30-31 a great success and exchange views on important issues of common interests. The SOM deliberated on a wide range of issues such as Bimstec structure, mechanism and procedures including rationalization of sectors and sub-sectors, institutional mechanism, strengthening of the Secretariat.

Among other issues include enhancing visibility of BIMSTEC, collaboration with the other regional and international organizations with similar aims and purposes and establishment of a BIMSTEC development fund.

The special meeting discussed on elements proposed in the draft of the Kathmandu Declaration for the Summit, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. RSS