Pathfinder and India Foundation to host Regional Conference on BIMSTEC

India Foundation, a think-tank based in New Delhi, in partnership with the Pathfinder Foundation, Colombo, has organised a roundtable conference with the participation of experts on the theme “BIMSTEC: Building an enabling architecture for peace, prosperity, and partnership. The conference which will be held at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel, in Colombo, on 31 March and 1 April 2022, coincides with the 5th BIMSTEC Leaders’ Summit taking place against the backdrop of challenges and uncertainties brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Pathfinder said in a statement issued yesterday: “The conference at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel in Colombo aims to exchange of views on common challenges hindering the progress in the priority areas of economic cooperation including enhancement of connectivity and promoting people to people contact which are considered to be paramount importance for the peace and stability among member countries of BIMSTEC. The discussions will also consider the group’s way ahead and build on the brand BIMSTEC.

The one-and-a-half-day event, attended by the invitees from the seven-member states of BIMSTEC – Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. The Roundtable, will consist of inaugural, valedictory and five working sessions. It will cover themes, Leveraging Blue Economy Potential and Enabling Business Linkages through trade and investment in the Bay of Bengal; Cultural and Civilisational Linkages; Physical and Digital Connectivity in the Bay of Bengal Region; Role of BIMSTEC in managing regional security challenges and promoting peace; and Building Brand BIMSTEC – Governments and Media. Experts and academics in the fields of security, energy, connectivity, economy, culture, education, and media, to name a few, will serve as speakers and panelists in the working sessions, which are expected to generate engaging and thought-provoking discussions.

BIMSTEC is emerging as a leading regional consultative forum focused on South and South-East Asia matters. With a rising share in global trade, economy and growth, the sub-region is becoming geo-economically significant for global powers. The resultant boom and mutual investment would further bind the region and promote cooperation to harness the enormous resources of the Bay. The security issues, some genuine and others perceived, have posed the single biggest challenge to the growth of this grouping with immense potential. Therefore, the members of BIMSTEC must cooperate amongst themselves to meet the emerging threats and promote peace. It is also essential to revive the rich social and cultural linkages that have existed amongst the region’s countries since times immemorial. Boasting a population over one-fifth of the global populace, BIMSTEC also has the potential to act as the core for any future grouping covering the Indo-Pacific Region.”