The other agreed sectors of cooperation are transport and communication, technology, tourism, agriculture, cultural cooperation, environment and disaster management, poverty alleviation, and climate change.
The summit ended at noon today as Myanmar President Thein Sein handed over the Chairmanship of the Bimstec to Nepal’s Prime Minister Suresh Koirala.
The declaration said that the Summit recognizes close relationship and deeper engagements among the Bimstec Member States given the geographical proximity as well as the rich historical linkages and cultural heritage.
It said that the leaders are convinced that the Bimstec Member States, endowed with abundant natural and human resources, have considerable potential for economic and social development through mutually beneficial cooperation in identified priority areas.
The member states reiterated firm commitment to alleviate poverty in the BIMSTEC region to ensure dignity, improve the quality of life and well-being of the peoples.
Besides, the Summit recognized the threats posed by climate change on the lives and livelihoods of peoples across the Member States.
Recognizing the threat that terrorism poses to peace, stability and economic progress in the region, the member states emphasized the need for closer cooperation in combating all forms of terrorism and transnational crimes.
The leaders are also convinced that harmony, prosperity and well-being among the Bimstec Member States can be enhanced through deeper economic and social cooperation, enhanced connectivity, sustainable development, harnessing of common natural resource base, and cultural and people-to-people linkages.
The declaration said that the leaders also agreed to enhance cooperation in expanding skill and technology base of Member States through collaboration and partnerships, and also underlined the need for enhancing regional cooperation in the energy sector,.
Member states also agreed to intensify efforts to deepen cooperation in all areas of activities within the framework of Bimstec including strengthening institutional mechanisms.
The Summit conveyed appreciation to the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh for providing the premises for the BIMSTEC Secretariat in Dhaka and also expressed satisfaction at the progress made towards the operationalization of the Secretariat.
At the Summit, two memoranda of association (MoA) — one on establishing climate change centre in India and another for setting up a permanent secretariat in Bangladesh, and a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on setting up a Cultural Industries Observatory in Bhutan were signed.
Foreign Ministers of member states signed the MoAs and MoU in presence of the leaders of Bimstec including Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Source: UNB Connect
