The Bimstec Secretariat

The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is a regional organization that was established on 06 June 1997 with the signing of the Bangkok Declaration. Initially known as BIST-EC (Bangladesh-India-Sri Lanka-Thailand Economic Cooperation), the organization is now known as BIMSTEC and comprises seven Member States with the admission of Myanmar on 22 December 1997, and Bhutan and Nepal in February 2004. The BIMSTEC Secretariat was established following the signing of the Memorandum of Association at the 3rd BIMSTEC Summit held in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, in 2014. Inaugurated on 13 September 2014 in Dhaka, Bangladesh, the Secretariat marked its 10th anniversary of its establishment on 13 September 2024. The Secretariat’s primary mandate is to ensure efficient, effective and timely implementation of the decisions made by the member States in close consultation and coordination with the member States. It also engages with development partners to mobilize technical and financial support for BIMSTEC initiatives. Over the years, the Secretariat has played the key role of anchor in forging regional cooperation among the member States. The Secretariat, headed by the Secretary General, carries out the directives of the member States and coordinates, monitors & reports on the progress in their implementation. The present Secretary General, H.E. Indra Mani Pandey, is a distinguished diplomat from India. He is the 4th Secretary General of BIMSTEC.