Statement by His Excellency Mr. Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali, M.P., the Hon’ble Foreign Minister of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh at the 15th Ministerial Meeting of BIMSTEC on 11 August 2017 in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Your Excellency Mr. Krishna Bahadur Mahara, Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nepal Chairman of the 15th BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting, Excellencies, and Dear Colleagues from BIMSTEC Member States, Ladies and Gentlemen

Assalamu Alaikum, Namaste and a very good morning to you all.

I am delighted to join you all this morning at this Meeting. Let me first congratulate the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Government of Nepal for taking up the Chair of the meeting. I also thank the Government of Nepal for hosting the 15th BIMSTEC Ministerial meeting. It is my firm conviction that the meeting will meet its objectives under your wise leadership.

Mr. Chairman,

This meeting is taking place at an important milestone moment in the history of BIMSTEC. Over the past 20 years, the organization underwent significant transformation adapting to many challenges and opportunities. We made some achievements during this period, but missed opportunities are also significant. Perhaps, it is time to look back, reflect and review our past performances; renew our commitment and reframe our strategy for the journey ahead.

BIMSTEC countries comprising two vibrant regions of South Asia and South East Asia represent 21% of the global population with huge potentials for forging substantive multi-sectoral cooperation. But the trade among the BIMSTEC countries are still only 7% of global trade. Investment and economic cooperation among BIMSTEC countries are still very insignificant. Though BIMSTEC FTA was concluded in 2004, the subsequent FTA related 1

agreements; MoUs and implementing mechanisms could not be concluded yet. Connectivity is the key to overall cooperation which is lagging behind among BIMSTEC countries. Transportation of people and business through air-rail-road and sea, connectivity of ideas, knowledge and skills are fundamental to boost mutual cooperation and partnerships in all other areas among BIMSTEC countries. There are huge potentials and imperatives for cooperation in science and technology and ICT sectors, cooperation in curbing the impact of climate change, culture and tourism, cooperation in emerging blue economy where we need to muster our intense efforts. This meeting provides an immense opportunity to take stock and chart the path ahead.

Excellencies,

Bangladesh had been committed to the BIMSTEC process since its very inception as BISTEC in 1997 and consistently working to shape it into an effective regional organization. Our Prime Minister Her Excellency Sheikh Hasina takes very keen personal interest in seeing the organization as a successful institution to change the lives and livelihood of the peoples of BIMSTEC member states. Hosting of the BIMSTEC Secretariat in Dhaka is a manifestation of Sheikh Hasina government’s firm commitment to the BIMSTEC process. She took part in the 3rd BIMSTEC Summit and the BIMSTEC Leader’s Retreat on the sideline of the BRICS-BISMTEC Summit. In Goa Summit, she strongly supported the new ideas made by Indian Prime Minister, His Excellency Mr. Modi for taking BIMSTEC forward. At the domestic front, the Government of Bangladesh under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been pursuing an economic policy of inclusive growth and sustainable development in line with her commitment to the UN, BIMSTEC and other international and regional forums.

Bangladesh is leading two sectors out of 14 major areas of cooperation of BIMSTEC namely Trade and Investment; and Climate Change. We reiterate our commitment to enhance levels of engagements among member states to bring about synergy. Bangladesh have commitment to host BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting on Culture, BIMSTEC Business Forum and an International Conference on Blue Economy in October 2017, a Workshop to explore the interface between the Agenda 2030 and the BIMSTEC in December 2017, BIMSTEC Experts’ Workshop on Climate Change, BIMSTEC Trade and Economic 2

Ministers’ Meeting, BIMSTEC Tourism Ministers’ Roundtable and some other important policy level and sectoral events in Dhaka during the later part of this year and early next year. We hope to announce the dates of these events through the Secretariat in due course of time.

Mr. Chairman,

I take this opportunity to thank the Secretary General Ambassador Sumith Nakandala who just concluded his tour of duties. I appreciate his efforts to start the functioning of the Secretariat to coordinate among member states to frame and implement the agenda of the organization over the past three years. Bangladesh government extended all possible support to make the secretariat functional. I also thank the other member states for their contributions to the Secretariat. As the tenure of the 1st Secretary General expired as per terms of his appointment, Bangladesh proposed the appointment of the Secretary General from Bangladesh as per alphabetical order. I thank the BIMSTEC Senior Officials for considering and making recommendations for his appointment to the Ministerial Meeting and I hope that the proposed appointment will be endorsed by this Ministerial Meeting. The tasks of the next Secretary General will be an onerous one to move forward the slow moving BIMSTEC process to a higher level of momentum. It is my firm believe that our candidate Ambassador M. Shahidul Islam, a senior career diplomat presently serving as Bangladesh Ambassador to France, and who is now sitting just behind me, shall render his responsibility with full dedication and professionalism.

Mr. Chairman, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

The political, economic, environmental, social and technological landscapes of the world are undergoing transformation. Changes are also taking place in our own region also. We have to decode, evaluate and address the challenges and seize the opportunities that are being unleashed in the process. We cannot do this alone. There is no alternative to the imperative of regional cooperation. Therefore, we need to strengthen our cooperation, speed up the rates of implementation of the decisions so far, rapidly conclude the frame 3

work agreements and MoUs that have been committed and mutually agreed upon or being negotiated to make the BIMSTEC efficient and relevant.

I would urge upon the distinguished Foreign Ministers and Heads of Ministerial Delegations to return home with the renewed spirit of working together to speedily implement the commitment and pledges we made to transform BIMSTEC as one of the most dynamic regional organizations of the 21st Century. Let us all give a big push to take BIMSTEC forward together.

I thank you Mr. Chairman.

4