BIMSTEC

Current Context: On April 4, 2025, Bangladesh officially took over the chairmanship of BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) for a two-year term, succeeding Thailand.

About

• Founded: 1997
• Members: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand
• Objective: Regional cooperation in areas like trade, transport, energy, technology, and security among Bay of Bengal nations
• Headquarters: Dhaka, Bangladesh
• Chairmanship: Rotates alphabetically among member states every two years

6th BIMSTEC Summit –

• Held in: Bangkok, Thailand
• Theme: Prosperous, Resilient and Open BIMSTEC
• Hosted by: PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra of Thailand
• Bangkok Declaration & BIMSTEC Bangkok Vision 2025 adopted to provide strategic roadmap for: Sustainable development, Regional connectivity, Economic integration & Disaster resilience