DHAKA, April 4, 2025 (BSS) - Bangladesh is set to assume the chairmanship of BIMSTEC for the next two years, aiming to enhance regional connectivity, economic cooperation, and development across South and Southeast Asia, as the bloc seeks greater integration amid evolving economic challenges.

The transition is scheduled to take place at the end of the 6th BIMSTEC Summit is being held in Bangkok, Thailand, where leaders of the seven-member regional bloc-Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand-gathered to discuss pressing regional issues under the theme "Prosperous, Resilient, and Open BIMSTEC."

Bangladesh will take over the chairmanship from Thailand, which hosted this year's summit. 

The transition will be marked by an official handover ceremony, where the Thai Prime Minister delivered his closing remarks, and Bangladesh Chief Adviser outlined the country's vision for the bloc during its tenure.

As per BIMSTEC's charter, the chairmanship rotates among member states in alphabetical order.

Today, the summit commenced with a symbolic group photo of participating leaders, followed by a welcome address by Thailand's Prime Minister, the outgoing BIMSTEC chair. 

A moment of silence was observed in memory of the victims of recent earthquakes in Myanmar and Thailand.

After that, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus along with other BIMSTEC leaders, delivered statements outlining their countries' perspectives on regional cooperation.

Earlier in the morning, Chief Adviser Professor Yunus attended a high-level breakfast meeting with Thai dignitaries, engaging in discussions on strengthening bilateral and multilateral partnerships within the BIMSTEC framework.

BIMSTEC, established in 1997, has increasingly positioned itself as a vital platform for regional collaboration, particularly in trade, technology, transport, energy, and counterterrorism. 

With Bangladesh at the helm for the next two years, the country is expected to focus on enhancing trade facilitation, infrastructure connectivity, and climate resilience among member states, said an official familiar with the BIMSREC Secretariat in Dhaka. 

The new BIMSTEC chair will now begin its work in steering the organization's agenda, ensuring that the regional bloc continues to play a strategic role in fostering economic growth and stability in the Bay of Bengal region, he said.