KATHMANDU: Nepal shared its progress in enhancing people-to-people connections and regional cooperation during the 24th session of the BIMSTEC Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM), held virtually from Bangkok on Thursday.
The Nepali delegation, led by Acting Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai, participated in the meeting, which was chaired by Paisan Rupanichkij, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Thailand — the current BIMSTEC Chair.
In his statement, Acting Foreign Secretary Rai reaffirmed Nepal’s commitment to the BIMSTEC Charter and its vision.
He pointed out key achievements in regional cooperation and presented updates on the People-to-People Contact Sector, where Nepal leads initiatives in culture, tourism, poverty alleviation, and related forums.
Rai stated the importance of effectively implementing existing legal frameworks, promoting equitable climate financing, and advancing regional connectivity and institutional development within the BIMSTEC framework.
The meeting also reviewed several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), reports, and action plans related to priority sectors, recommending them for approval at the upcoming BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting.
Discussions further focused on preparations for the upcoming Sixth BIMSTEC Summit, set to be held in Bangkok, Thailand.
The session concluded with the adoption of its report, marking progress in BIMSTEC’s collaborative efforts and regional cooperation.
Comment