Bangladesh on Monday urged BIMSTEC member states to play a more active role in increasing international pressure on Myanmar to help secure a sustainable solution to the protracted Rohingya crisis.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam made the call while addressing a seminar titled "Three Decades of BIMSTEC: Advancing Regional Cooperation for Shared Prosperity" at the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS).
"Effective international pressure needs to be exerted on Myanmar to ensure the safe, voluntary and sustainable repatriation of the Rohingyas," she said, adding that coordinated efforts by BIMSTEC member states could play an important role in achieving that goal.
Reaffirming Bangladesh's commitment to BIMSTEC, Shama said the country remains dedicated to promoting a peaceful, resilient and prosperous Bay of Bengal region.
She stressed the need to translate regional commitments into concrete action through stronger implementation, practical cooperation and enhanced institutional mechanisms.
As the current Chair of BIMSTEC, Bangladesh remains committed to advancing economic integration, connectivity, trade and investment, the blue economy and people-centric regional cooperation, she said, adding that Dhaka would continue working closely with member states to realise the organisation's shared objectives.
Shama expressed confidence that the recommendations emerging from the seminar would strengthen Bangladesh's leadership during its BIMSTEC chairmanship and contribute to the organisation's future development.
BIMSTEC Secretary General Ambassador Indra Mani Pandey, who attended the seminar as the special guest, highlighted the organisation's ongoing initiatives in women's development, climate adaptation, energy grid interconnection and technical capacity-building.
He also outlined BIMSTEC's cooperation in drug control, cyber, maritime and human security, counterterrorism, transnational crime, tourism, visa facilitation, trade and investment.
BIISS Director General Major General ASM Ridwanur Rahman delivered the welcome address, while BIISS Research Director Dr Mahfuz Kabir presented the keynote paper.
The seminar also featured panel presentations by Professor Dr Rasheduzzaman of the University of Dhaka's Department of International Relations and Professor Dr Kazi Maruful Islam, Director of the university's Centre on Budget and Policy. The session was chaired by Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies (BIPSS) President Major General ANM Muniruzzaman (Retd).
The keynote presentation and discussions reviewed BIMSTEC's progress over the past three decades and examined the opportunities and challenges facing the regional bloc.
Participants emphasised the need to strengthen BIMSTEC's institutional capacity, improve regional connectivity, deepen economic cooperation and expand collaboration across its priority sectors. They also called for practical, action-oriented initiatives to promote regional integration and enhance peace, stability, resilience and sustainable development in the Bay of Bengal region.
The seminar was attended by senior government officials, ambassadors and high commissioners, representatives of BIMSTEC member states and international organisations, academics, researchers, members of the armed forces, development partners, private sector representatives, media personnel and policy experts.