Kathmandu, April 3 (HS): During the third BIMSTEC dialogue in Bangkok, Nepal's Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba emphasized that the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) needs to evolve into a vibrant and development-focused organization. She highlighted the importance of addressing the hopes and challenges faced by people in the region while calling for regional and global bodies to work collaboratively to tackle these issues.

Dr. Rana pointed out that regional diplomacy has historically emerged in response to global conflicts, shaped by local dynamics and globalization challenges. She advocated for regional unity to transform BIMSTEC into a robust partnership platform, emphasizing collective efforts to combat rising issues, including poor health among women and children, maternal and infant mortality, women's representation in leadership, and climate change.

She underlined BIMSTEC's critical role in fostering regional peace, unity, and sustainability. Dr. Rana reaffirmed Nepal's commitment to BIMSTEC's principles, urging meaningful cooperation among member countries to promote culture and tourism, alleviate poverty, and address climate challenges through collaboration. She stressed the untapped potential of the region's natural resources and young population, advocating for enhanced connectivity frameworks, including a Free Trade Area Agreement and eco-tourism initiatives, as well as the integration of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence to resolve regional challenges.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar