Enhancing regional cooperation is currently the most effective pathway to counter global food, energy, and supply chain disruptions caused by changing geopolitics and the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, stated BIMSTEC Secretary-General Indra Mani Pandey.
In an exclusive interview with Jamuna Television ahead of the three-day meeting of National Security Advisers of BIMSTEC member states in Delhi, the Secretary-General outlined the bloc’s future strategic blueprints regarding the blue economy, regional connectivity, and climate change.
Emphasizing that road and maritime connectivity are being prioritized to accelerate regional trade, Indra Mani Pandey noted, “A few years ago, we incorporated the ‘Blue Economy’ as a novel and highly promising sector of regional cooperation. This will exponentially boost marine resource-driven economic collaboration among member countries.”
Detailing the progress of connectivity infrastructures, he revealed that a master plan for transport connectivity approved by BIMSTEC member states in 2022 was subsequently reviewed in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB). “We are pleased to report that nearly 60% of the projects listed under that master plan have already been successfully implemented. This expansion goes beyond road and land transit; it encompasses maritime routes, aviation connectivity, digital networks, and people-to-people contact,” Pandey added.
Highlighting the geographical vulnerabilities of the BIMSTEC region, the Secretary-General stated, “Every single member country in our alliance bears the brunt of adverse climate and weather patterns. While implementing adaptation initiatives to tackle these hazards, we are simultaneously working to scale up energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. Furthermore, we maintain a dedicated, robust cooperation sector specifically for disaster management to mitigate large-scale natural catastrophes.”
Indra Mani Pandey expressed optimism that building sustainable regional cooperation would substantially contribute to realizing peace and development goals across the broader Indo-Pacific region. He concluded by reaffirming that BIMSTEC does not cater to any single country but is relentlessly working toward the holistic welfare and socio-economic advancement of the citizens across all seven member states, including Bangladesh.
