Kathmandu, Aug 31 ,, The leaders of the BIMSTEC member states have expressed the pledge to eradicate poverty in the Bay of Bengal region by 2030 in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Accordingly, they have called for effective implementation of the BIMSTEC Poverty Plan of Action and for gearing up efforts of all sectors to contribute to the over-arching goal of poverty alleviation.
The two-day 4th Summit of Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) concluded in the capital today, where the leaders expressed commitment to nurturing their workforce by taking concrete measures to provide decent job opportunities for them through increased investment in service and productive sectors of national economy.
They have also decided to establish a Working Group to deal with information technology and communications related matters with a view to provide greater access, more affordable and high-speed internet and mobile communications to the peoples of the region.
As stated in the annex to the 18-point Kathmandu declaration released at the end of the Summit, the leaders have agreed to revitalize the activities of BIMSTEC Business Forum and BIMSTEC Economic Forum to further strengthen Government–Private sector cooperation for the promotion of trade and investment. They have also tasked the Expert Group on BIMSTEC Visa Matters to continue negotiation for finalization of the modalities for the BIMSTEC Visa Facilitation.
Likewise, the BIMSTEC Coastal Shipping Agreement and the BIMSTEC Motor Vehicle Agreement will be concluded as early as possible taking into account the special circumstances and needs of the Member States. Commitment has also been expressed on an early conclusion of BIMSTEC Free Trade Area (FTA) negotiations, while noting the progress of negotiation on the Agreement on Trade in Goods and the Agreement on Customs Cooperation.
The signing of the BIMSTEC Convention on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters was also stressed, calling upon the Member States for its early ratification. They expressed determination to strengthen cooperation and coordination among the law enforcement, intelligence and security agencies and decided to hold meetings at the level of BIMSTEC Home Ministers and continue with the BIMSTEC National Security Chiefs meetings as part of promoting cooperation and coordination on counter terrorism and transnational crimes.
A decision was also taken to establish an Inter-governmental Expert Group to develop a plan of action to improve preparedness and coordination for responding to natural disasters in the Bay of Bengal Region.
Expressing serious concerns over environmental degradation, adverse impact of climate change and global warming on the fragile Himalayan and mountain eco-systems and their inter-linkages with the Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean, the leaders resolved to strengthen cooperation to protect and preserve the environment to address, inter alia, the adverse impact of climate change on the lives and livelihoods of our peoples.
Other decisions taken include constituting an intergovernmental group of experts to enhance energy cooperation including in hydro-power and other sources of renewable energy, instructing the relevant agencies to take concrete measures to initiate harmonization of technical, planning and operational standards for removing barriers to grid interconnections, and to work towards the signing of the Memorandum of Association on the Establishment of BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility in Sri Lanka.
Noting with satisfaction the activities of the BIMSTEC Network of Policy Think Tanks (BNPTT) in enhancing public awareness about BIMSTEC, the leaders agreed to explore possibility of establishing appropriate BIMSTEC forums for parliamentarians, universities, academia, research institutes, cultural organizations and media community to expand the scope of people-to-people contacts.
They also underscored the importance of Buddhism as a connecting thread in the region while remaining committed to giving a clear manifestation to this by establishing a Buddhist Circuit. The leaders agreed to take concrete measures to facilitate tourism by ensuring safety and security of tourists, and smooth transport connectivity. They also welcomed the offer of Nepal to host a BIMSTEC tourism conclave in Nepal in 2020, coinciding with the Visit Nepal Year 2020. The summit also welcomed the concept note on promoting mountain economies in BIMSTEC countries developed by Nepal to promote cooperation in this area and decided to establish an Inter-governmental Expert Group to develop an action plan.
They also decided to establish an Inter-governmental Expert Group to develop an action plan on blue economy, keeping in mind the special needs and circumstances of the landlocked Member States.
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