Fourth
BIMSTEC Summit Declaration, Kathmandu, Nepal (August 30-31, 2018)
August 31, 2018
·
Prepare a preliminary draft of the
charter for the organization, building on the 1997 Bangkok Declaration
·
BIMSTEC Development Fund (BDF)
·
Enhance the institutional capacity of
the BIMSTEC Secretariat
·
Appointment of Mr. M. Shahidul Islam of Bangladesh as the Secretary General of
BIMSTEC
·
Transport and
Communications (Connectivity)
·
BIMSTEC Coastal Shipping Agreement and
the BIMSTEC Motor Vehicle Agreement
·
BIMSTEC Master Plan on Transport
Connectivity
·
Working Group to deal with information
technology and communications
·
BIMSTEC Ministerial Conclave at the
India Mobile Congress 2018 being held in New Delhi from 25-27 October 2018 on
the theme "New Digital Horizons: Connect, Create, Innovate”
·
BIMSTEC Free Trade Area (FTA)
negotiations
·
BIMSTEC Business Forum and BIMSTEC
Economic Forum
·
Thailand to host the Third Meeting of
the BIMSTEC National Security Chiefs in March 2019
·
Importance of blue economy and agree to
cooperate in this sector for the sustainable development in the region
·
International Blue Economy Conference
in Bangladesh in 2017
"Towards a Peaceful, Prosperous
and Sustainable Bay of Bengal Region”
We, the Prime Minister of the People’s
Republic of Bangladesh, the Chief Advisor of the Kingdom of Bhutan, the Prime
Minister of the Republic of India, the President of the Republic of the Union
of Myanmar, the Prime Minister of Nepal, the President of the Democratic
Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, and the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of
Thailand, met in Kathmandu on 30-31 August 2018 for the Fourth BIMSTEC Summit;
and
Reaffirming the firm commitment to the
principles and purposes of BIMSTEC as enshrined in the 1997 Bangkok
Declaration;
Recalling the Third BIMSTEC Summit
Declaration (Nay Pyi Taw, 4 March 2014) and the
BIMSTEC Leaders’ Retreat Outcome Document (Goa, 16 October 2016);
Affirming the solemn commitment to
making the Bay of Bengal Region peaceful, prosperous and sustainable by
building on our common strengths through our collective efforts;
Being convinced that geographical
contiguity, abundant natural and human resources, rich historical linkages and
cultural heritage present great potentials for promoting deeper cooperation in
identified core areas in the region;
Recognizing that eradication of poverty
is the greatest regional challenge in realization of development objectives and
expressing firm commitment to working together for the implementation of the
Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development; Acknowledging that enhanced
inter-linkages and inter-dependence within the economies and societies in the
BIMSTEC Member States provide greater opportunity to advance regional
cooperation;
Underlining the importance of
multidimensional connectivity, which promotes synergy among connectivity
frameworks in our region, as a key enabler to economic integration for shared
prosperity;
Taking into consideration the
importance of trade and investment as one of the major contributing factors for
fostering economic and social development in the region.
Recognizing the special needs and
circumstances of the least developed and land-locked developing countries in
the region and underlining the necessity to provide meaningful support to their
development process;
Recognizing that terrorism and
transnational organized crimes continue to pose a great threat to international
peace and security including in the BIMSTEC countries and stressing that
combating terrorism and transnational organized crimes require sustained
efforts and cooperation and comprehensive approach involving active
participation and collaboration of the Member States;
Reaffirming strong commitment to making
BIMSTEC a dynamic, effective and result-oriented regional organization for
promoting a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable Bay of Bengal Region through
meaningful cooperation and deeper integration;
Stressing the need for a fair, just,
rule-based, equitable and transparent international order and reaffirming faith
in the multilateralism with the United Nations at the centre
and the rule-based international trading system;
Underscoring the importance of robust
institutional arrangements to effectively steering the process of regional
cooperation under BIMSTEC;
Taking Note of the participation and
concurrence by the Chief Advisor of the Interim Government of Bhutan to the
Summit decisions and its outcome documents on an ad referendum basis, as these
are subject to endorsement by the next elected government;
Do hereby:
1.
Recall the principles enshrined in the
1997 Bangkok Declaration and reemphasize that cooperation within BIMSTEC will
be based on respect for the principles of sovereign equality, territorial
integrity, political independence, non-interference in
internal affairs, peaceful co-existence and mutual benefit.
2.
Agree to intensify our efforts to
realize the objectives and purposes of BIMSTEC as embodied in the 1997 Bangkok
Declaration, and reiterate our pledge to work collectively towards making
BIMSTEC a stronger, more effective and result-oriented organization for achieving
a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable Bay of Bengal Region.
3.
Resolve to achieve, leveraging on
BIMSTEC’s unique position as a bridge linking South and Southeast Asia, an
enhanced level of economic and social development in the region, and remain
fully committed to consolidate and deepen cooperation among Member States
towards transforming our organization into an effective platform to promote
peace, prosperity and sustainability.
4.
Deplore terrorist attacks in all parts
of the world including in BIMSTEC countries and strongly condemn terrorism in
all its forms and manifestations wherever and by whomsoever committed and
stress that there can be no justification whatsoever for any act of terrorism.
Affirm that the fight against terrorism should target not only terrorists,
terror organizations and networks but also identify and hold accountable States
and non-State entities that encourage, support or finance terrorism, provide
sanctuaries to terrorists and terror groups and falsely extol their virtues.
Reiterate our strong commitment to combat terrorism and call upon all countries
to devise a comprehensive approach in this regard which should include
preventing financing of terrorists and terrorist actions from territories under
their control, blocking recruitment and cross-border movement of terrorists,
countering radicalization, countering misuse of internet for purposes of
terrorism and dismantling terrorist safe havens.
5.
Repose our faith unequivocally in the
principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations and strive to
strengthen the multilateral system by reforming its rules, institutions and
instruments to make it relevant to contemporary global challenges and agree to
work together to present a collective voice to safeguard our collective interests
for a fair, just, rule-based, equitable and transparent world order.
INSTITUTIONAL REFORM
6.
Decide to task the BIMSTEC Secretariat
to prepare a preliminary draft of the charter for the organization, building on
the 1997 Bangkok Declaration, defining a long-term vision and priorities for
cooperation, clearly delineating roles and responsibilities of different layers
of institutional structure and decision-making processes, for consideration by
the BIMSTEC Permanent Working Committee (BPWC) and other higher bodies with a
view to adopting it by the Fifth Summit; and agree to task the BPWC to develop
the Rules of Procedure (RoP) for the BIMSTEC
Mechanisms.
7.
Decide to establish a BIMSTEC Permanent
Working Committee to deal with administrative and financial matters of the
Secretariat and the BIMSTEC Centers and Entities, as well as to prepare
schedule of meetings, prioritize and rationalize the organization’s activities.
8.
Direct the relevant Ministries/national
agencies of our respective governments to explore the possibility of
establishing a BIMSTEC Development Fund (BDF), at an appropriate time, with
voluntary contributions from the Member States, which will be utilized for
research and planning of BIMSTEC and financing of projects, programmes
and other activities of BIMSTEC Centers and Entities as agreed upon by the
Member States.
9.
Agree to enhance the institutional
capacity of the BIMSTEC Secretariat, including through financial and human
resources, in order to enable it to coordinate, monitor and facilitate implementation
of BIMSTEC activities and programmes; and initiate
project proposals as agreed by the Member States as well as fulfil any other
responsibility entrusted to it in an effective and efficient manner and agree
to raise the numbers of Directors to seven, one from each Member State, in a
staggered manner.
10. Acknowledge
the importance of enhancing the visibility and stature of BIMSTEC in
international fora by, inter alia, forging common positions, as appropriate, on
issues of common interest and seeking group recognition in various multilateral
organizations, institutions and processes.
11. Emphasize
the need to accelerate progress in the core areas of cooperation and to review,
restructure and rationalize the existing areas of BIMSTEC cooperation and
streamline the operational modalities for activities, implementation of programmes and projects under BIMSTEC for bringing out
tangible results. Welcome Thailand’s concept paper on the Reprioritization of
BIMSTEC Pillars of Cooperation proposing to streamline to five pillars which
will be subjected to further discussion in the BIMSTEC Permanent Working
Committee.
12. Agree
to take up on priority basis the legal documents and instruments that are
pending for internal approval process for finalization and ratification.
13. Commend
the role of Lead Countries for the progress made in the respective sectors, as
annexed to this declaration, and encourage them to accelerate their efforts to
make further progress.
14. Express
our appreciation for former Secretary-General Mr. Sumith
Nakandala’s valuable contribution in advancing the
work of BIMSTEC during his tenure and welcome the appointment of Mr. M. Shahidul Islam of Bangladesh as the Secretary General of
BIMSTEC.
15. Convey
deep appreciation to Nepal for the able stewardship of BIMSTEC from March 2014
and welcome Sri Lanka as the new Chair of BIMSTEC.
16. Reiterate
the commitment to timely holding of Summit and other meetings of the BIMSTEC
mechanisms to intensify the process of regional cooperation.
17. Agree
to make our directives, commitments and statements of our positions on sectoral
review expressed at the Annexure as part of this Declaration.
18. Express
our sincere appreciation to the Government of Nepal for the warm hospitality
and the excellent arrangements made for the Summit.
Annex to the Fourth BIMSTEC Summit
Declaration
Sectoral Review
Poverty Alleviation
1.
Reiterate our commitment to the
eradication poverty in the Bay of Bengal Region by 2030 in line with the 2030
Agenda for Sustainable Development and call for effective implementation of the
BIMSTEC Poverty Plan of Action and for gearing up efforts of all sectors to
contribute to the over-arching goal of poverty alleviation.
2.
Express commitment to nurturing our
workforce by taking concrete measures to provide decent job opportunities for
them through increased investment in service and productive sectors of national
economy.
Transport and Communications
(Connectivity)
3.
Reiterate our resolve to establish
seamless multi-modal transportation linkages and smooth, synchronized and
simplified transit facilities through the development, expansion and
modernization of highways, railways, waterways, sea routes, airways in the
region and direct our respective authorities to speed up their efforts to
conclude the BIMSTEC Coastal Shipping Agreement and the BIMSTEC Motor Vehicle
Agreement as early as possible taking into account the special circumstances
and needs of the Member States.
4.
Note with satisfaction the preparation
of the draft BIMSTEC Master Plan on Transport Connectivity and call for its
early adoption and thank the Asian Development Bank for providing support to
prepare the Master Plan and task the BIMSTEC Transport Connectivity Working
Group (BTCWG) to work out the modalities for its implementation, giving due
attention to the special circumstances and needs of the Member States. We agree
that the Master Plan would serve as a strategic document that guides actions
and promotes synergy among various connectivity frameworks, such as the ASEAN
Master Plan on Connectivity 2025 (MPAC 2025), the Ayeyawady
- Chao Phraya- Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS), to achieve
enhanced connectivity and sustainable development in our region.
5.
Decide to establish a Working Group to
deal with information technology and communications related matters with a view
to provide greater access, more affordable and high-speed internet and mobile
communications to the peoples of the region. In this regard, we welcome the
offer of the Government of India to host a BIMSTEC Ministerial Conclave at the
India Mobile Congress 2018 being held in New Delhi from 25-27 October 2018 on
the theme "New Digital Horizons: Connect, Create, Innovate”, and encourage
all Member States to participate in it.
Trade and Investment
6.
Renew our commitment to an early
conclusion of BIMSTEC Free Trade Area (FTA) negotiations, and direct the
BIMSTEC Trade and Economic Ministerial Meeting (TEMM) and its subsidiary bodies
including the Trade Negotiating Committee (TNC) to expedite finalization of all
related Agreements of the BIMSTEC FTA as early as possible; and express our
satisfaction on the progress of negotiation on the Agreement on Trade in Goods
and the Agreement on Customs Cooperation and also direct our respective
Ministries/Agencies to participate regularly in TNC Meetings.
7.
Agree to revitalize the activities of
BIMSTEC Business Forum and BIMSTEC Economic Forum to further strengthen
Government–Private sector cooperation for the promotion of trade and investment
and task the Expert Group on BIMSTEC Visa Matters to continue negotiation for finalization
of the modalities for the BIMSTEC Visa Facilitation.
8.
Welcome the offer of India to host a
BIMSTEC Startup Conclave in December 2018, and encourage all Member States to
participate in it.
Counter Terrorism and Transnational
Crime
9.
Reiterate our position that terrorism
continues to pose a serious threat to peace and stability in our region and
reaffirm our strong commitment to combat terrorism in all its forms and
manifestations and agree to taking appropriate measures in this regard.
10. Look
forward to the signing of the BIMSTEC Convention on Mutual Legal Assistance in
Criminal Matters; call upon the Member States for its early ratification and
express satisfaction that many Member States have ratified the BIMSTEC
Convention on Cooperation in Combating International Terrorism, Transnational
Organized Crime and Illicit Drug Trafficking and call upon the remaining Member
State to do so.
11. Express
our determination to strengthen cooperation and coordination among the law
enforcement, intelligence and security agencies; and decide to hold meetings at
the level of BIMSTEC Home Ministers and continue with the BIMSTEC National
Security Chiefs meetings as part of promoting cooperation and coordination on
counter terrorism and transnational crimes.
12. Welcome
the offer of Thailand to host the Third Meeting of the BIMSTEC National
Security Chiefs in March 2019.
Environment and Disaster Management
13. Encourage
closer cooperation in disaster management through sharing of information,
including early warning system, adoption of preventive measures, rehabilitation
and capacity building and agree to build on the existing capacities in the
region and decide to establish an Inter-governmental Expert Group to develop a
plan of action to improve preparedness and coordination for responding to
natural disasters in the Bay of Bengal Region.
Climate Change
14. Express
our serious concerns over environmental degradation, adverse impact of climate
change and global warming on the fragile Himalayan and mountain eco-systems and
their inter-linkages with the Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean and resolve to
strengthen cooperation to protect and preserve the environment to address,
inter alia, the adverse impact of climate change on the lives and livelihoods
of our peoples; explore the possibility to establish an Inter-governmental
Expert Group to develop a plan of action for collective response to climate
change for the region; reaffirm our commitments to operationalize the Paris
Agreement, in accordance with principle of common but differentiated responsibilities
and respective capabilities (CBDR & RC), taking into account different
national circumstances and equity.
Energy
15. Recognize
the high potentials of energy resources in the region, particularly renewable
and clean energy sources, and agree to expedite our efforts to develop a
comprehensive plan for energy cooperation by working closely with each other
within the region and decide to constitute an intergovernmental group of
experts to enhance energy cooperation including in hydro-power and other
sources of renewable energy.
16. Remain
committed to providing uninterrupted and affordable power supply for the
economic development of our peoples, including through energy trade; welcome
the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on BIMSTEC Grid Interconnection
and instruct the relevant agencies to take concrete measures to initiate
harmonization of technical, planning and operational standards for removing
barriers to grid interconnections and also ensure early establishment of a
BIMSTEC Grid and call for an early operationalization of the BIMSTEC Energy
Centre in order to strengthen energy cooperation in the region.
Technology
17. Agree
to enhance cooperation for development, access and sharing of affordable
technologies – including for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises for promoting
sustainable development across sectors and welcome the efforts of the Member
States towards the signing of the Memorandum of Association on the
Establishment of BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility in Sri Lanka.
18. Also
agree to focus cooperation in human resources development and education for the
advancement of technology in the region, keeping in mind the need to address
the disruptive impacts of technology
Agriculture
19. Decide
to deepen cooperation in the agricultural and allied sectors, including crops,
livestock and horticulture, farm machinery and harvest management so as to
increase productivity and profitability of agricultural produce in a
sustainable manner; task the relevant authorities to intensify cooperation to
attain food and nutritional security; and preserve and promote knowledge about
traditional farming by appropriately linking both traditional and modern
farming, and reducing costs, enhancing income and mitigating risks for farming
communities, with the objective of facilitating agricultural trade among member
countries and making contribution to the poverty alleviation, job creation, and
improvement of quality of life of the masses in our nations.
20. Welcome
the offer of Myanmar to host the 1st BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture
by 2019 and the offer of India to host the BIMSTEC Seminar on Climate Smart
Farming Systems in 2019.
Fisheries
21. Stress
on continued cooperation in conservation, management and sustainable use of
marine resources in the region; agree to deepen cooperation in fisheries to
ensure food security and improve livelihoods of people in our region and task
the relevant national agencies to explore the possibility of meaningful
collaboration to promote sustainable marine fisheries and direct the relevant
authorities to explore how the landlocked Member States can benefit from inland
fisheries.
Public Health
22. Agree
to expand cooperation in our efforts to address non-communicable diseases as
well as trans-national public health issues that threaten the economic and
social progress of the peoples of BIMSTEC region, including HIV and AIDS,
malaria, dengue, tuberculosis, viral influenza-including avian and swine
influenza and other emerging public health threats; note the progress in
traditional medicine cooperation; remain committed to continuing the
collaborative activities in this field; encourage active cooperation among
concerned agencies including in the area of traditional medicine through
exchange of information, sharing of experience, training of personnel and other
concrete programmes to prevent and contain them; and
express appreciation to Thailand for their efforts for cooperation in
traditional medicine.
People-to-People Contacts
23. Resolve
to build a deeper understanding and trust among Member States and promote
people-to-people contacts at various levels; note with satisfaction the
activities of the BIMSTEC Network of Policy Think Tanks (BNPTT) in enhancing
public awareness about BIMSTEC and direct the relevant agencies to finalize the
terms of reference (ToR) of BNPTT.
24. Agree
to explore possibility of establishing appropriate BIMSTEC forums for
parliamentarians, universities, academia, research institutes, cultural
organizations and media community to expand the scope of people-to-people
contacts.
Cultural Cooperation
25. Emphasize
the need to enhance cultural exchange among Member States to further strengthen
the historic cultural ties among our peoples; promote mutual respect and
tolerance for cultural diversity; underscore the importance of Buddhism as a
connecting thread in the region; and remain committed to giving a clear
manifestation to this by establishing a Buddhist Circuit.
26. Agree
to hold meetings of BIMSTEC Cultural Ministers and BIMSTEC Cultural Festival at
regular intervals; welcome the offer of Bangladesh to hold the 2nd BIMSTEC
Ministerial Meeting on Culture and 1st BIMSTEC Cultural Festival; and strongly
encourage our respective Cultural Ministers to participate in these two
important events.
Tourism
27. Agree
to take concrete steps to promote intra-BIMSTEC tourism; task the relevant
authorities to devise strategies considering the emerging opportunities and
building on the past initiatives including the "Plan of Action for Tourism
Development and Promotion for the BIMSTEC Region” adopted in Kolkata in 2005
and reinforced by the 2nd BIMSTEC Tourism Ministers Round Table and Workshop in
Kathmandu in 2006; agree to take concrete measures to facilitate tourism by
ensuring safety and security of tourists, and smooth transport connectivity;
reaffirm our commitment to developing and promoting Buddhist Tourist Circuit,
Temple Tourist Circuit, ancient cities trail, eco-tourism and medical tourism;
and welcome the offer of Nepal to host a BIMSTEC tourism conclave in Nepal in
2020, coinciding with the Visit Nepal Year 2020.
Mountain Economy
28. Underscore
the necessity of making concrete efforts to ensure the conservation of mountain
ecosystems, including their bio-diversity in order to support sustainable
development; welcome the concept note on promoting mountain economies in
BIMSTEC countries developed by Nepal to promote cooperation in this area; and
decide to establish an Inter-governmental Expert Group to develop an action
plan.
Blue
Economy
29. Emphasize
the importance of blue economy and agree to cooperate in this sector for the
sustainable development in the region and decide to establish an
Inter-governmental Expert Group to develop an action plan on blue economy,
keeping in mind the special needs and circumstances of the landlocked Member
States.
30. Note
with satisfaction the hosting of International Blue Economy Conference in
Bangladesh in 2017 with participation of government representatives from
BIMSTEC Member States.