BIMSTEC 2018: Nepal’s Mission Accomplished, Now its Lanka’s Turn!

The 4^th BIMSTEC Summit is no doubt a very special event for Nepal, both locally and at the international level.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli confirmed this in his recent address to Nepali Parliament, couple of days after the BIMSTEC 2018 concluded in Kathmandu.

Addressing the Parliament, PM Oli said the Summit has boosted Nepal’s reputation & abilities while also enhancing the level of reliability of the nation.

“It has been seen that Nepal can hold any kind of program in an organized manner. The Summit was effective and largely successful as it was organized with caution and without any mistake,” read Oli’s statement.

Citing the BIMSTEC 2018 highlights, Oli informed that the event has resulted in a common conclusion with proper direction for all BIMSTEC member states.

He further informed that the Summit formed an effective platform for discussions among heads of the states and governments of the member nations on ways to achieve enhanced bilateral cooperation and fulfil regional interests.

Oli said that the Summit focused on cooperation in core sectors: Tourism & connectivity, energy, power and trade & investment.

The 18-point Declaration also paid high regard to Nepal lauding the Government of Nepal’s efforts in making the BIMSTEC Summit a grand success!

As part of the Summit, the member states agreed upon the 18-point Kathmandu Declaration, which includes:

1. Reviewing of the principles agreed upon in the 1997 Bangkok Declaration and reconsidering peaceful co-existence, political independence, non-interference in internal affairs, sovereign equality, territorial integrity and mutual benefit as key to BIMSTEC cooperation
2. Expediting action on the BIMSTEC objectives as embodied in the 1997 Bangkok Declaration and work towards strengthening BIMSTEC as more of an implementation-oriented organization
3. Enhancing BIMSTEC’s capabilities as a bridge between South and Southeast Asia for socio-economic development and peace & prosperity in the region
4. Reiteration to combat terrorism in all forms such as curbing organizations/state & non-state entities/networks funding terrorism, blocking recruitment to terrorism, cross-border movement of terrorists, stopping radicalization and dismantling terrorist hubs, among others through a country-country collaboration and a comprehensive approach
5. Continuing commitment to the core principles and agendas of the Charter of the United Nations and collaborate in all possible forms that can strengthen the multilateral system in addressing the contemporary challenges, globally
6. Decision to form the BIMSTEC Permanent Working Committee (BPWC), which will take care of administrative and financial tasks of the BIMSTEC Secretariat, Centers and Entities, organizational activities and programs, etc.
7. As part of institutional reforms, preparing a preliminary draft of the BIMSTEC Charter, defining a long-term cooperation in cooperation and addressing priorities, delineating roles and responsibilities of different layers within the BIMSTEC structure and decision-making process for approval from BPWC (making it ready-to-adopt by the 5^th BIMSTEC Summit) and develop Rules of Procedure for BIMSTEC mechanisms
8. Direct respective BIMSTEC member countries and heads of the states to explore the possibility of forming the BIMSTEC Development Fund (BDF) with voluntary contribution from the member states, which will be utilized for research & planning, financing and other aspects of BIMSTEC as agreed upon among the member states
9. Enhancing the institutional capabilities of BIMSTEC Secretariat by adding more Human Resources (HR) to support the organizational activities from initializing to implementing any proposals and projects, increase the number of Directors from one to seven covering all the member states on a step-by-step manner
10. Widening BIMSTEC scope at the international level by way of forging common positions on issues of common interest globally and seeking due recognition across the existing global multilateral players
11. Emphasizing on the need for further progress, review, restructure and rationalize core areas of BIMSTEC cooperation and welcoming Thailand’s concept paper on the Reprioritization of BIMSTEC Pillars of Cooperation towards streamlining BIMSTEC principles to five key pillars
12. Prioritizing legal documents and instruments that need approvals internally for finalization and ratification
13. Lauding the role of the lead countries of the group and encouraging them for further progress
14. Appreciating the former Secretary-General Mr. Sumith Nakandala’s contribution to BIMSTEC and welcoming the appointment of Mr. M. Shahidul Islam of Bangladesh as the new BIMSTEC Secretary General
15. Conveying deep appreciation to Nepal for its abilities in handling full responsibility of BIMSTEC operations since March 2014 and welcome Sri Lanka as the new Chair
16. Reiterating commitment to timely holding of the Summit and other meetings under the BIMSTEC mechanism for enhanced regional cooperation
17. Deciding on making commitments and statements of members’ positions on sectoral review expressed at the Annexure as part of this Declaration
18. Sincere appreciation to the Government of Nepal for its warm hospitality and efficient way in hosing the Summit

Now, it’s time to wait and watch the way implementation progresses. All the Best BIMSTEC! The 5th BIMSTEC Summit is going to take place in Sri Lanka.

Also Read:

• Fourth BIMSTEC Summit : Nepal All Set, Delegates Arriving In!
• Nepal Gears up for 4th BIMSTEC Summit
• 4th BIMSTEC 2018 Summit Concludes with Declaration