On the occasion of the 29th Anniversary of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), Prime Minister Balendra Shah and Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal extended congratulations and best wishes to the governments and people of all BIMSTEC member states.

In his message, Prime Minister Shah described BIMSTEC as a dynamic platform that reflects the region’s diversity, vitality and shared potential. He emphasized the importance of improving transport, trade and digital connectivity to strengthen regional integration and economic cooperation. He also highlighted the need to promote tourism, create opportunities for youth and entrepreneurs, and enhance resilience against climate change and natural disasters.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed Nepal’s commitment to working closely with fellow member states to build a more connected, resilient and prosperous BIMSTEC region.

In a separate message, Foreign Minister Khanal praised the progress achieved by BIMSTEC since its establishment in 1997 and underscored the importance of the BIMSTEC Charter in advancing regional cooperation. He called for stronger partnerships, consolidation of achievements and more effective implementation of regional initiatives.

As the Lead Country for the People-to-People Contact sector, Nepal also reaffirmed its readiness to promote tourism, cultural exchanges and closer people-to-people relations among BIMSTEC countries.