The Secretariat of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) in Dhaka hosted a reception on 06 June 2023 to mark the occasion of the 26th BIMSTEC Day, the anniversary of the signing of the Bangkok Declaration which is the founding document of BIMSTEC, on 06 June 1997.
The Honourable State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh H.E. Md. Shahriar Alam graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and was joined by members of the diplomatic corps, officials of the Government of Bangladesh, media personnel, and friends of BIMSTEC.
Welcoming the guests, the Secretary General of BIMSTEC, H.E. Tenzin Lekphell noted recent achievements of BIMSTEC and highlighted opportunities which he urged the BIMSTEC countries to seize and work collectively to uplift the lives of the people of the BIMSTEC region.
Stating that regionalism is an age-old form of collective efforts for development among nations of the same region, the Chief Guest, H.E. Md. Shahriar Alam, stated that Bangladesh is currently home to the Permanent Secretariat of BIMSTEC as a mark of Bangladesh’s commitment to BIMSTEC. Speaking of the enormous potential for growth in the region, the State Minister emphasized the need for collaboration in the interest of shared development and prosperity for the people of the Bay of Bengal region.