FM Joins first-ever BIMSTEC retreat in Bangkok

Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen attended the retreat conducted by the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) on Monday in Bangkok, Thailand. Participants talked about ways to promote the 25-year-old organization as well as regional challenges.

The colleagues of the BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers engaged in a "open and forward-looking" debate.

After the conference, Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. Jaishankar tweeted, "Just concluded a productive BIMSTEC Retreat in Bangkok."

He said they focused on strengthening resilience and coordination among BIMSTEC members, reflecting the challenges that we all confront today.

“Explored new facets and activities to enter new areas of cooperation. Food, health and energy security are common concerns. Technology solutions can be subject for both collaboration and exchange of best practices. Our common objective is to enhance growth and promote prosperity,” said the Indian Minister, adding that they agreed to meet more frequently to take these ideas further.

Foreign Minister Momen and other visiting BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers are likely to meet Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand Prayut Chan-o-Cha jointly.

During his visit, the Foreign Minister Momen  is likely to hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts from the BIMSTEC Member States on the sideline of the retreat.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will attend the next BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok, Thailand later this year.

The sixth BIMSTEC Summit will be held in November 2023 in Bangkok, Thailand, in which Bangladesh will assume the chairmanship of the regional grouping.

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The Foreign Minister is scheduled to return home on July 18, said an official.

Earlier, Momen visited Jakarta, Indonesia from July 12 and attended the ASEAN Regional Forum.