KATHMANDU, Aug 11: The special meeting of senior officials of the BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) concluded here today has agreed to recommend a theme 'towards a peaceful Bay of Bengal for upcoming fourth Summit.
Foreign Secretary Shankar Das Bairagi presided over the meeting organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal. The secretary-general of the BIMSTEC and all the representatives of the member states of the sub-regional body and took part in the meeting.
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The purpose of the meeting was to facilitate preparations for making the upcoming Summit scheduled for August 30-31 a great success and exchange views on important issues of common interests. The SOM deliberated on a wide range of issues such as Bimstec structure, mechanism and procedures including rationalization of sectors and sub-sectors, institutional mechanism, strengthening of the Secretariat.
Among other issues include enhancing the visibility of BIMSTEC, collaboration with the other regional and international organisations with similar aims and purposes and establishment of a BIMSTEC development fund.
The special meeting discussed on elements proposed in the draft of the Kathmandu Declaration for the Summit, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. RSS
