Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, arrived in Bangkok on 3 April 2025 to participate in the sixth Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Summit. He arrived in Suvarnabhumi Airport in early afternoon and was met by Thai Minister Jiraporn Sindhuprai.
BIMSTEC Summit 2025: Key Priority Areas
The representatives of Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Nepal, and Bhutan are present on behalf of these countries in the April 4, 2025 BIMSTEC Summit. The discussion will take place on building regional cooperation in trade, investment, environment and climate change, security, agriculture and food security, people-to-people contact, science, technology, and connectivity.
Adoption of ‘BIMSTEC Vision 2030’
One of the highlights of the conference will be signing of the “BIMSTEC Vision 2030, Bangkok,” a master plan to enhance regional economic cooperation, ecological sustainability, and security.
Discussions Regarding Myanmar-Thailand Earthquake Response
The gathering also addresses the devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck northern Thailand and central Myanmar on March 28, 2025, with over 3,000 fatalities and widespread destruction. Joint disaster management plans and establishment of the India-based BIMSTEC Centre of Excellence in Disaster Management are on the agenda of leaders.
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Dr. Yunus to Become Chairman of BIMSTEC
Dr. Yunus will assume chairmanship of BIMSTEC from Thailand in this summit. He will also lead policy-making with regard to trade, investments, and sustainable development among member countries as chair.
Bilateral Meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Aside from participating in the summit, Dr Yunus shall also engage in bilateral discussions with various leaders including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It will be his first meeting with Modi upon resuming office as Chief Adviser of Bangladesh.
Myanmar’s Junta Leader’s Questionable Dipl
The junta leadership of Myanmar also made its first foreign appearance since the coup in 2021 in this meeting. The junta leadership was decried by pro-democracy protesters as giving legitimacy to Myanmar’s junta government. The Thai government defended its invitation on the basis of the charter of the BIMSTEC, mandating attendance by all its member countries.
Fostering Cooperation Regionally under Dr. Yunus’s Watch
BIMSTEC Summit remains a vital stage for building stronger regional ties as well as tighter business and investment cooperation through balanced growth to progress toward a more integrated Bay of Bengal region under the new leadership of Dr. Yunus.
