Connectivity must remain flagship of regional ambition: Shama Obaed

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam today (20 July) said connectivity must remain the flagship of their regional ambition, stressing that the BIMSTEC Master Plan for Transport Connectivity provides the blueprint, while the challenge is implementation.

"Bangladesh will support progress on transport linkages and the proposed coastal shipping agreement while pursuing deeper energy and digital connectivity," she said while speaking as the chief guest at a seminar.

Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) organised the seminar on "Three Decades of BIMSTEC: Advancing Regional Cooperation for Shared Prosperity" at the BIISS Auditorium.

The seminar was organised in view of Bangladesh's ongoing chairmanship of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) and sought to generate informed policy discourse on strengthening regional cooperation for shared prosperity.

BIMSTEC Secretary General Indra Mani Pandey spoke as the special guest, while BIISS Director General Major General A S M Ridwanur Rahman delivered the welcome address.

The BIMSTEC Secretary General spoke on ongoing projects and actions in areas such as women's development, climate adaptation, grid interconnection, technical capacity-building in energy, security cooperation in drug control, cyber, maritime and human security, counterterrorism, transnational crime, tourism, visa facilitation, and trade and investment undertaken by BIMSTEC.

The state minister highlighted the importance of institutional coordination, innovative financing, engagement with development partners and the private sector, and sustained political commitment to achieve the connectivity goals.

She said Bangladesh has been dealing with a crucial crisis - the Rohingya refugee crisis - and stressed that regional prosperity can only be sustained in an environment of peace, security and resilience.

As a trusted partner and friend, Shama Obaed said Bangladesh has truly hoped that the BIMSTEC framework and the members of this multilateral body shall be committed to creating the international pressure needed for the safe and dignified repatriation of the Rohingyas.

She said their region faces terrorism, violent extremism, human trafficking, drug trafficking, cyber threats, illegal fishing, climate-induced disasters, and humanitarian crises.

The state minister said they should deepen practical cooperation in maritime security, law enforcement, disaster risk reduction, humanitarian assistance, and capacity building.

She said climate resilience and disaster preparedness must remain at the heart of their agenda because few countries understand the human and economic cost of a warming planet more intimately than Bangladesh.

The state minister reaffirmed Bangladesh's strong commitment to BIMSTEC and to promoting a peaceful, resilient, and prosperous Bay of Bengal region.

She emphasised the importance of translating regional commitments into concrete actions through greater implementation, practical cooperation, and strengthened institutional mechanisms.

Shama Obaed also underscored Bangladesh's commitment, as the current Chair of BIMSTEC, to advancing economic integration, connectivity, trade, investment, the blue economy, and people-centric regional cooperation while working closely with all member states to realise the organisation's shared objectives.

She expressed confidence that the recommendations emerging from the seminar would help strengthen Bangladesh's leadership during its BIMSTEC chairmanship and support the organisation's future development.

"We must also invest in our people. Students, researchers, entrepreneurs, professionals, media representatives, and cultural practitioners create the human connections on which durable regional cooperation rests," Shama Obaed said.

As the current chair and host of the BIMSTEC Secretariat, she said Bangladesh recognises that its responsibility goes well beyond convening meetings.

"We will work closely with Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, as well as with the Secretary General, to strengthen the capacity of the Secretariat, fully operationalise the Charter, and translate the commitments of the leaders into practical outcomes," Shama Obaed said.

She said Bangladesh will work with all member states to build consensus and inject fresh momentum into those negotiations.

The state minister said the blue economy offers another major avenue for shared prosperity.

The fisheries, shipping, renewable energy, and marine resources of the Bay of Bengal are a shared inheritance that must be developed responsibly and managed sustainably, she said.

She said Bangladesh will support practical cooperation, scientific research, and capacity building so that the Bay becomes a source of inclusive growth for present and future generations. 

"We have the political commitment. Let us therefore work together with renewed purpose and confidence. Let us transform BIMSTEC from a forum of great promise into a platform of effective regional cooperation," she said.

Research Director of BIISS Dr Mahfuz Kabir presented the keynote paper.

The seminar also featured panel presentations by Professor Dr Rasheduzzaman, Department of International Relations, University of Dhaka, and Professor Dr Kazi Maruful Islam, Director, Centre on Budget and Policy, University of Dhaka. The session was chaired by Major General A N M Muniruzzaman (Retd), President of the Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies (BIPSS).

The keynote presentation and panel discussions examined the evolution of BIMSTEC over the past three decades and assessed the opportunities and challenges facing the organisation in promoting regional cooperation.

The deliberations highlighted the importance of strengthening institutional capacity, enhancing regional connectivity, expanding economic cooperation, and fostering greater collaboration across the organisation's priority sectors.

Participants also underscored the need for practical, action-oriented initiatives to advance regional integration and contribute to peace, stability, resilience, and sustainable development in the Bay of Bengal region.

An interactive open discussion followed the keynote presentation and panel sessions.

Participants exchanged views on a wide range of issues relating to regional cooperation, connectivity, trade and investment, security cooperation, and people-to-people engagement.

The discussion also highlighted the importance of strengthening partnerships among member states and promoting evidence-based policy dialogue to enhance the effectiveness of BIMSTEC.

Senior officials from different ministries and government agencies, ambassadors and high commissioners, representatives of BIMSTEC member states and international organisations, members of academia, researchers, university faculty members and students, representatives of the armed forces, development partners, private sector stakeholders, media representatives, and policy practitioners participated in the seminar.