BIMSTEC: Check Full Form, Member Countries, Key Objectives and Purpose of this Cooperation

On April 4, 2025, the 6th BIMSTEC Summit was hosted in Bangkok, Thailand. At the summit, BIMSTEC leaders have approved 6 key outcomes, which have the vision of being completed by 2030. The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is a regional organisation that brings together seven countries from South and Southeast Asia. It was officially formed on June 6, 1997, with the signing of the Bangkok Declaration. It was created to foster cooperation in various economic and technical fields among nations bordering the Bay of Bengal. By enhancing collaboration across sectors like trade, connectivity, technology, and security, BIMSTEC plays a crucial role in strengthening regional integration and promoting sustainable development among its member countries.

BIMSTEC SG @IndraManiPR calls on with H.E. Professor Mohammad Yunus, Hon’ble Chief Adviser of Bangladesh, today in Bangkok. @BDMOFA @MFABhutan @MEAIndia @MOFA_Myanmar @MofaNepal @MFA_SriLanka @MFAThai #BIMSTEC #BIMSTECSummit #6thBIMSTECSummit pic.twitter.com/Tz2u4DZhEe

— BIMSTEC (@BimstecInDhaka) April 4, 2025

Founding Members (1997)

1. Bangladesh
2. India
3. Sri Lanka
4. Thailand

These four countries signed the original declaration in Bangkok. The key signatories were:

• Abul Hasan Chowdhury (Bangladesh)
• Saleem Iqbal Shervani (India)
• D.P. Wickremasinghe (Sri Lanka)
• Pitak Intrawityanunt (Thailand)

The agreement was aimed at strengthening economic cooperation in the Bay of Bengal region.

Expansion of Membership

After its formation, BIMSTEC expanded to include more countries over time:

With Myanmar joining, the name changed to BIMST-EC, and finally, in July 2004, during the first summit in Bangkok, it became BIMSTEC as we know it today.

What is the main objective of BIMSTEC?

The main objective of BIMSTEC is to help countries in their economic growth, to support social development, and to encourage development in other areas, like science, technology and economic development.

Below are given in detail all its objectives:

• To help the member countries grow their economies faster by working together on projects in areas like trade, business, technology, farming, tourism, energy, and transport.
• To support social and economic progress in the region by working as equal partners.
• To encourage teamwork and help each other in areas like the economy, science, technology, and social development.
• To offer support through training and research in education, jobs, and technical skills.
• To build strong and useful partnerships with other global and regional organisations that share similar goals.

What Role Do National Focal Points Play in BIMSTEC’s Five-Tiered Structure?

Each BIMSTEC member country has a National Focal Point within its Ministry of External or Foreign Affairs. These offices act as the main contact for all BIMSTEC-related communication and coordination between the member countries and the BIMSTEC Secretariat.

Structure of BIMSTEC

BIMSTEC has five main levels of organisation:

1. Summit – This includes the Heads of State or Government from all member countries.
   
2. Ministerial Meeting – This involves the Ministers who handle foreign affairs in each member country.
   
3. Sectoral Ministerial Meetings – These are meetings of ministers in charge of specific areas, like trade, energy, or transport, depending on the topic.
   
4. Senior Officials’ Meeting – These meetings include top officials, such as Foreign Secretaries or other senior representatives appointed by the member countries.
   
5. BIMSTEC Permanent Working Committee (BPWC) – This group is made up of senior officials from each country’s National Focal Point, working regularly to manage ongoing tasks.

What is the purpose of BIMSTEC cooperation?

The purpose of BIMSTEC is:

1. To support fast economic growth by working together on agreed projects in different areas like trade, energy, transport, and more. Member countries can review and update these areas from time to time.
   
2. To boost development and improve lives in the Bay of Bengal region through teamwork and equal partnerships.
   
3. To work closely and help each other in important areas like the economy, science, technology, and social development.
   
4. To support one another with training and research in education, jobs, and technical skills.
   
5. To carry out joint projects that fit well with each country’s development plans, helping improve living standards, create jobs, and build better roads and communication systems.
   
6. To focus on projects that are more effective when done together at the regional level and that use the strengths of each country.
   
7. To keep peace and security in the Bay of Bengal region by working together against terrorism, organized crime, natural disasters, climate change, and diseases.
   
8. To build strong partnerships with other regional and global organizations that have similar goals.
   
9. To work towards ending poverty in the region.
   
10. To improve transport and communication links between countries, making the region more connected and helping the economy grow.
    
11. To encourage trade and investment as key ways to support economic and social progress in the region.

In how many areas does BIMSTEC focus?

BIMSTEC initially focused on 6 sectors when it was launched:

1. Trade
2. Technology
3. Energy
4. Transport
5. Tourism
6. Fisheries
   

Later in 2008, it added more areas like:

1. Agriculture
2. Public Health
3. Poverty Alleviation
4. Counter-Terrorism
5. Environment
6. Cultural Exchange
7. Climate Change
8. People-to-People Contact

Now let’s see what important outcomes came from the 6th BIMSTEC SUMMIT 2025

The leaders of BIMSTEC agreed on six important documents during the BIMSTEC SUMMIT 2025. These documents are : 

1. BIMSTEC Bangkok Vision 2030 – This is the main highlight of the summit. It’s the first long-term plan to make BIMSTEC more prosperous, strong, and open by the year 2030. The vision focuses on improving trade, transport links, and people’s safety and well-being
2. Sixth BIMSTEC Summit Declaration – This document shows the leaders’ strong support for BIMSTEC and the new Vision 2030
3. Rules of Procedure for BIMSTEC – This sets clear rules for how BIMSTEC will work, helping the group to function more smoothly and efficiently
4. Report by the BIMSTEC Eminent Persons’ Group – This report gives helpful suggestions for how BIMSTEC should move forward, in line with the 2030 vision
5. Agreement on Maritime Transport Cooperation – A new agreement was signed to improve sea transport between South and Southeast Asia. This will help reduce shipping costs, make trade faster, and make it easier for goods and people to move across the region
6. Joint Statement on the Earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand – Leaders expressed sympathy and support for those affected by the recent earthquake. They also promised to work together more closely on disaster response and preparedness.