The third summit of BIMSTEC has ended in Myanmar with the call to achieve collective prosperity for the seven member nations of South and South-east Asia.
Published : 04 Mar 2014, 11:17 AM
The summit ended on Tuesday with the handover of hammer to the Nepal Prime Minister.
The summit began at 8.30am local time Tuesday at the Myanmar International Convention Centre in the capital Naypyidaw.
The Myanmar President delivered his speech welcoming the heads of the state and government of the seven countries.
He stressed the need for combining strengths and resources under the banner of BIMSTEC to engage with other international bodies in addressing challenges of climate change, natural disaster, energy and food security.
BIMSTEC or the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation is a regional grouping of seven members from South Asia – Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka – and South East Asia –Thailand and Myanmar.
The main summit started after a brief cultural ceremony and photo session.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, Indian Prime Minister Mahmohan Singh, Nepal Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Thailand’s Special envoy and Permanent Secretary of BIMSTEC Sihasak Phuangketkeow and Observer ADB Extended Mission Head at Myanmer Putu Kamayana attended the summit.
Three agreements were signed in the summit.
A memorandum of association (MoA) on establishing climate change centre in India, and a memorandum of understanding on setting up a Cultural Industries Observatory in Bhutan were signed.
A MoA was also inked for setting up a permanent secretariat in Bangladesh which was endorsed more than two years ago.
The top leaders also discussed progress achieved so far since the last summit, exchange views and decide on future plans.
In her address Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina mentioned her government’s total commitment to the BIMSTEC.
“It has the potential to move us all to our common goals. I see optimism in its vibrant role, to particularly help Bangladesh in fulfilling its “Vision 2021” of a middle income country,” she said in her address.
She said this was a step to our journey to becoming “Sonar Bangla” or “Golden Bangladesh”.
“I am confident that the BIMSTEC Permanent Secretariat would generate the momentum necessary for the implementation of all our decisions and the agreed agenda,” Hasina said.
She expressed her happiness at Dhaka being chosen for its permanent secretariat.
After the speeches of top leaders and coffee break Myanmar President handed over the hammer to Nepal Prime Minister Sushil Koirala.
The summit ended with the closing remarks of President U Thein Sein.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is also scheduled to meet heads of governments on the sidelines of the summit.
She would hold talks with Indian Prime Minister at 1pm local time, with Sri Lankan President at 4.30pm and with Nepal Prime Minister at 5pm.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam and the ministry's Secretary Shahidul Haque, Ambassador-At-Large Mohammad Ziauddin, Prime Miniter's Office Secretary Abul Kalam Azad and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Mahbubul Houqe Shakil were also present at the summit.
Formed in 1997, the first BIMSTEC summit was held in Thailand’s Bangkok in 2004 and second summit in India’s New Delhi in 2008.
The third summit has been delayed by two years.
The Prime Minister will return to Dhaka on Tuesday night.