BIMSTEC SG calls for accelerated implementation of programs
Even after 8 to 11 years, nothing concrete done to establish the BIMSTEC Energy Centre in India, and the BIMSTEC Cultural Industries Observatory, in Bhutan.
In his report at the Fifth Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Summit held on March 30, 2022, at Colombo, Sri Lanka, Secretary General (SG) of BIMSTEC, Tenzin Lekphel said the 30th of March 2022 is a moment of celebration with history created for BIMSTEC. This statement was made in light of leaders of the seven member states having come together - united - to sign the BIMSTEC Charter, which the SG said is an instrument that will further connect the seven member states together. Apart from this, SG Tenzin Lekphel expressed satisfaction on activities carried out and suggested that the region may like to prioritize areas of concern. Further, during the 18th Ministerial Meeting held before the main summit, he said that despite Memorandum of Association and a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2011 and in 2014 - to establish the BIMSTEC Energy Centre in India, and the BIMSTEC Cultural Industries Observatory, in Bhutan, very little progress has been made and sought directives to expedite implementation.
In his statement at the main summit, the SG, said prioritizing areas of focus, would bring quick benefits to the peoples of the region, and a more efficient decision-making process that will accelerate achievement of the targets set by the Summits, thereby enabling - a result oriented BIMSTEC as envisaged. “We hope that a high-level Group of Eminent Persons could be formed to undertake such an exercise and make recommendations to the Senior Officials and the BIMSTEC Ministers for their consideration,” SG, Tenzin Lekphel said.
Additionally, the SG said he is happy to report that the BIMSTEC Free Trade Area negotiations, and in particular, the negotiations in Trade in Goods have now reached at an advanced stage. “We are hopeful that - we will be able to finalize the BIMSTEC Trade in Goods Agreement in the near future, and - that the day is not far when the peoples of this region can reap the full benefits from trade and seamless movement of goods and people,” he said.
Further, he added that the summit would be adopting the BIMSTEC Master Plan for Transport Connectivity, which he said is a vital accomplishment of BIMSTEC - as Transport Connectivity is a fundamental requirement for regional cooperation and integration. “The master plan identifies 267 projects worth 124 billion US dollars. We are very positive that the implementation of these projects would be a game changer for connectivity in our region,” he said.
Speaking about the pandemic, which the SG said “left no one untouched,” and affected everyone in some way or the other, he said many lives were lost, while many are still suffering from the after effects of the illness.
However, he said the pandemic also created opportunities to come together in the time of each other’s need, which the member states of BIMSTEC did, by extending support to each other including sharing of vaccines and other medical assistance.
“While BIMSTEC countries helped each other during the pandemic, we hope that BIMSTEC, as an organisation, would deliberate and plan on making public health and disaster preparedness a priority for the future,” he added.
Other areas he spoke about concerned directives made by the Fourth Summit. He said member states have reviewed, restructured and rationalised the sectors of cooperation of BIMSTEC, with each Member State - taking the lead in steering and coordinating cooperation in a particular sector.
“This arrangement enhances a sense of ownership, responsibility and accountability in the Organisation’s work- with the Lead Countries - requiring to report progress in their respective sectors,” he underlined.
Meanwhile, at the 18th Ministerial Meeting held before the main summit, SG Tenzin said that recognizing the importance of establishing BIMSTEC Centres, - a Memorandum of Association and a Memorandum of Understanding have been signed in 2011 and in 2014 - to establish the BIMSTEC Energy Centre in India, and the BIMSTEC Cultural Industries Observatory, in Bhutan.
“However, although 8 to 11 years have now passed since the signature of these instruments, very little progress has been achieved in terms of implementation. A directive from the 18th Ministerial Meeting in respect of the BIMSTEC Centres would be important to expedite implementation,” he said.
He also reminded the panel that another important matter is the discussion on Trade in Goods and in particular the Rules of Origin which has taken 15 years, with over 20 meetings. “The Secretariat would like to remind the Ministers Meeting today, to kindly consider this as priority - and consider finalizing it this year, as we mark the 25th Anniversary of BIMSTEC and make BIMSTEC Free Trade Area - A Reality,” he said.
Emphasising that the BIMSTEC sectors have two ways to advance the aims and purposes of BIMSTEC: project implementation and norm-setting activities, he said internal funding mechanism such as BIMSTEC Development Fund is yet to develop, and that of late, various regional and international organizations are showing keen interest to be partners and provide technical assistance to support BIMSTEC projects.
“In this connection, it would be worthwhile for BIMSTEC to consider opening more partnerships with potential organizations to mobilize their expertise and resources for implementation of our common projects,” he added.
On the progress of BIMSTEC activities, reported during the 22nd Session of BIMSTEC Senior Officials’ Meeting held on March 28, 2022, the SG said that to revitalize Sectoral activities, the 17th Ministers Meeting, approved rationalization and reconstitution of 14 areas of cooperation into 7 sectors and sub-sectors- led by a Member State of each sector. The Ministerial Meeting also directed the Member States to develop their respective plans of action and establish institutional mechanism.
“The concept of Lead Country has also been emphasized whereby the future Annual Reports to the Meetings of the Senior Officials on Sectoral activities would be presented by the representatives of the Lead countries concerned,” he said, adding that as enshrined in the Bangkok Declaration, BIMSTEC is establishing and maintaining close relations with organizations.
He further informed that the Asian Development Bank has been BIMSTEC’s partner for a very long time and received assistance in areas such as tourism, trade, connectivity and capacity development. “Recently, we have strengthened our partnership by signing the Memorandum of Understanding. The Asian Development Bank has also expressed its willingness to undertake the BIMSTEC Grid Interconnection Master Plan Study,” he said.
Additionally, he highlighted that Member States are also considering a proposal from International Food Policy and Research Institute to extend cooperation in agriculture sector - while World Bank and United Nations have expressed their interest to partner in Connectivity, Digital Technology and Environment and Climate Change.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of BIMSTEC, and apart from signing of the BIMSTEC Charter, three other important legal documents were signed and one adopted, namely; BIMSTEC Convention on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Diplomatic Academics/Training Institutions of BIMSTEC Member States; Memorandum of Association (MOA) on Establishment of BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility in Colombo, and adoption of the BIMSTEC Master Plan for Transport Connectivity.
Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India will provide USD 1 million (one million is equal to ten lakhs) in aid to augment operational budget of the BIMSTEC secretariat.
Even after 8 to 11 years, nothing concrete done to establish the BIMSTEC Energy Centre in India, and the BIMSTEC Cultural Industries Observatory, in Bhutan.
In his report at the Fifth Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Summit held on March 30, 2022, at Colombo, Sri Lanka, Secretary General (SG) of BIMSTEC, Tenzin Lekphel said the 30th of March 2022 is a moment of celebration with history created for BIMSTEC. This statement was made in light of leaders of the seven member states having come together - united - to sign the BIMSTEC Charter, which the SG said is an instrument that will further connect the seven member states together. Apart from this, SG Tenzin Lekphel expressed satisfaction on activities carried out and suggested that the region may like to prioritize areas of concern. Further, during the 18th Ministerial Meeting held before the main summit, he said that despite Memorandum of Association and a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2011 and in 2014 - to establish the BIMSTEC Energy Centre in India, and the BIMSTEC Cultural Industries Observatory, in Bhutan, very little progress has been made and sought directives to expedite implementation.
In his statement at the main summit, the SG, said prioritizing areas of focus, would bring quick benefits to the peoples of the region, and a more efficient decision-making process that will accelerate achievement of the targets set by the Summits, thereby enabling - a result oriented BIMSTEC as envisaged. “We hope that a high-level Group of Eminent Persons could be formed to undertake such an exercise and make recommendations to the Senior Officials and the BIMSTEC Ministers for their consideration,” SG, Tenzin Lekphel said.
Additionally, the SG said he is happy to report that the BIMSTEC Free Trade Area negotiations, and in particular, the negotiations in Trade in Goods have now reached at an advanced stage. “We are hopeful that - we will be able to finalize the BIMSTEC Trade in Goods Agreement in the near future, and - that the day is not far when the peoples of this region can reap the full benefits from trade and seamless movement of goods and people,” he said.
Further, he added that the summit would be adopting the BIMSTEC Master Plan for Transport Connectivity, which he said is a vital accomplishment of BIMSTEC - as Transport Connectivity is a fundamental requirement for regional cooperation and integration. “The master plan identifies 267 projects worth 124 billion US dollars. We are very positive that the implementation of these projects would be a game changer for connectivity in our region,” he said.
Speaking about the pandemic, which the SG said “left no one untouched,” and affected everyone in some way or the other, he said many lives were lost, while many are still suffering from the after effects of the illness.
However, he said the pandemic also created opportunities to come together in the time of each other’s need, which the member states of BIMSTEC did, by extending support to each other including sharing of vaccines and other medical assistance.
“While BIMSTEC countries helped each other during the pandemic, we hope that BIMSTEC, as an organisation, would deliberate and plan on making public health and disaster preparedness a priority for the future,” he added.
Other areas he spoke about concerned directives made by the Fourth Summit. He said member states have reviewed, restructured and rationalised the sectors of cooperation of BIMSTEC, with each Member State - taking the lead in steering and coordinating cooperation in a particular sector.
“This arrangement enhances a sense of ownership, responsibility and accountability in the Organisation’s work- with the Lead Countries - requiring to report progress in their respective sectors,” he underlined.
Meanwhile, at the 18th Ministerial Meeting held before the main summit, SG Tenzin said that recognizing the importance of establishing BIMSTEC Centres, - a Memorandum of Association and a Memorandum of Understanding have been signed in 2011 and in 2014 - to establish the BIMSTEC Energy Centre in India, and the BIMSTEC Cultural Industries Observatory, in Bhutan.
“However, although 8 to 11 years have now passed since the signature of these instruments, very little progress has been achieved in terms of implementation. A directive from the 18th Ministerial Meeting in respect of the BIMSTEC Centres would be important to expedite implementation,” he said.
He also reminded the panel that another important matter is the discussion on Trade in Goods and in particular the Rules of Origin which has taken 15 years, with over 20 meetings. “The Secretariat would like to remind the Ministers Meeting today, to kindly consider this as priority - and consider finalizing it this year, as we mark the 25th Anniversary of BIMSTEC and make BIMSTEC Free Trade Area - A Reality,” he said.
Emphasising that the BIMSTEC sectors have two ways to advance the aims and purposes of BIMSTEC: project implementation and norm-setting activities, he said internal funding mechanism such as BIMSTEC Development Fund is yet to develop, and that of late, various regional and international organizations are showing keen interest to be partners and provide technical assistance to support BIMSTEC projects.
“In this connection, it would be worthwhile for BIMSTEC to consider opening more partnerships with potential organizations to mobilize their expertise and resources for implementation of our common projects,” he added.
On the progress of BIMSTEC activities, reported during the 22nd Session of BIMSTEC Senior Officials’ Meeting held on March 28, 2022, the SG said that to revitalize Sectoral activities, the 17th Ministers Meeting, approved rationalization and reconstitution of 14 areas of cooperation into 7 sectors and sub-sectors- led by a Member State of each sector. The Ministerial Meeting also directed the Member States to develop their respective plans of action and establish institutional mechanism.
“The concept of Lead Country has also been emphasized whereby the future Annual Reports to the Meetings of the Senior Officials on Sectoral activities would be presented by the representatives of the Lead countries concerned,” he said, adding that as enshrined in the Bangkok Declaration, BIMSTEC is establishing and maintaining close relations with organizations.
He further informed that the Asian Development Bank has been BIMSTEC’s partner for a very long time and received assistance in areas such as tourism, trade, connectivity and capacity development. “Recently, we have strengthened our partnership by signing the Memorandum of Understanding. The Asian Development Bank has also expressed its willingness to undertake the BIMSTEC Grid Interconnection Master Plan Study,” he said.
Additionally, he highlighted that Member States are also considering a proposal from International Food Policy and Research Institute to extend cooperation in agriculture sector - while World Bank and United Nations have expressed their interest to partner in Connectivity, Digital Technology and Environment and Climate Change.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of BIMSTEC, and apart from signing of the BIMSTEC Charter, three other important legal documents were signed and one adopted, namely; BIMSTEC Convention on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Diplomatic Academics/Training Institutions of BIMSTEC Member States; Memorandum of Association (MOA) on Establishment of BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility in Colombo, and adoption of the BIMSTEC Master Plan for Transport Connectivity.
Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India will provide USD 1 million (one million is equal to ten lakhs) in aid to augment operational budget of the BIMSTEC secretariat.
