The 20th Session of the BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting (MM) took place in Bangkok, Thailand, with Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in attendance. During the meeting, the Ministers signed the BIMSTEC Agreement on Maritime Transport Cooperation, a significant step towards enhancing regional maritime partnerships. Additionally, the draft Declaration of the 6th BIMSTEC Summit was finalized, outlining the vision, decisions, and directives of the Leaders, which was adopted at the Summit.
The Ministerial Meeting of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for MultiSectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) aimed to review progress, finalize key agreements, and outline the future course of regional cooperation. Key outcomes of the 20th MM included the finalization of the draft Declaration of the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, approval of sectoral plans of action, and the signing of Memoranda of Understanding between BIMSTEC and other organizations such as IORA and UNODC.
Ministers commended the progress outlined in the BIMSTEC Secretary General’s Report, endorsing advancements in regional cooperation across various sectors. They also praised Thailand’s leadership in hosting the 20th MM, setting the stage for a successful 6th BIMSTEC Summit. BIMSTEC comprises seven countries in the Bay of Bengal region and focuses on regional cooperation in sectors such as agriculture, connectivity, environment, and trade. The cooperation also extends to sub-sectors like disaster management, health, and human resource development.
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