The Bay of Bengal Initiatives for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) as a regional cooperation should play a vital supportive role in reviving the economies of member states through cooperation in areas of expertise of Member States, as the world is on the brink of a major economic and social crisis due to the unprecedented devastation caused to human lives by the COVID-19 pandemic, says Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.

In a message to mark the 24th anniversary of the regional cooperation body, Minister Gunawardena said that “BIMSTEC has contributed immensely for peace, stability and prosperity of our region during the last 24 years. I am confident that our friendly relationship and good cooperation between Member States and the Secretariat will be further strengthened and enhanced in the years to come for the benefit of our peoples.

“I would like to recall our renewed commitment at the recently concluded 17th Ministerial Meeting to endeavor to support BIMSTEC initiatives. Sri Lanka looks forward to hosting the 5th BIMSTEC Summit in the latter part of 2021 in Sri Lanka subject to the restrictions created by the pandemic.

“As a founding Member Sri Lanka salutes all Member States for their untiring contributions to keep the wheels of BIMSTEC moving even during the pandemic.”