Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Friday called upon the leaders of BIMSTEC member States to extend their valued support in redeeming their collective commitments to revitalise the organisation, rising above differences and divergences.
“We need a genuinely shared sense of mutual confidence and mutuality of interests, rising above our differences and divergences,” he said while delivering his speech at the BIMSTEC Summit.
Thai Prime Minister and Chair of the Summit Paetongtarn Shinawatra and leaders of the member States were present.
“As Bangladesh assumes the BIMSTEC Chairmanship, I would call upon all of you, indeed to my fellow leaders present, to extend your valued support,” said the Chief Adviser.
Dr Yunus said they need to be driven by the impact and results whatever they undertake or do collectively,
Approaching the fourth decade, he said, they need to re-discover the modalities and institutions of regional and sub-regional collaboration under BIMSTEC.
Addressing the inequality of income and choices, balancing economy and ecology need to be overriding objectives in pursuing tge sectoral cooperation.
“While each of our countries pursue our national interests, we also need to appreciate the same of ‘others’ in the table in shaping and moving our wider cooperative agenda,” Dr Yunus said.
In a fast-moving world, he said, comparing the developments of the past decade seems a bit distant past.
“Many of long-held norms, regulations are giving in. I find institutions often struggling to meet people’s aspirations,” Dr Yunus said.
“In making our institutions fit-for-purpose, I have been advocating for an overhaul of the financial system as also launch innovative social businesses that would uphold dignity and ensure an individual’s security, not just augment wealth,” he mentioned.
Within and beyond the region, resources – capacities – solutions abound to address many of the endemic challenges, like climate change.
“As much as we facilitate knowledge and technology amongst our seven countries, let us also open up to the world – the governments, the knowledge institutions, foundations, private sector – who would share our values and appreciate our needs,” Dr Yunus said.
Humanitarian Channel in Rakhine
The protracted Rohingya crisis, if remains unresolved, has the possibility to create instability in the whole region, said the Chief Adviser.
BIMSTEC can promote dialogue to resolve the internal conflicts, particularly between the conflicting parties in Rakhine, he said.
“It should take more visible actions to engage Myanmar to bring stability in Rakhine for an enabling environment for the return of the forcibly displaced Rohingyas to Myanmar,” Dr Yunus said.
Given the recent developments in Rakhaine State, amidst the warning of UNDP of an impending famine in Rakhaine, a humanitarian channel in Rakhine may be established for the supply of basic necessities to the people to stop further displacement from Rakhine, he said.
Bangladesh encouraged the meaningful participation of BIMSTEC member states in the “high-level conference on the Situation of Rohingya Muslims and Other Minorities in Myanmar’ under the UN auspices, in September 2025.
“Bangladesh expects a high-level political participation in the conference from BIMSTEC Member States,” Dr Yunus said.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres undertook a “historic” visit to Bangladesh from 13-16 March and expressed complete solidarity to the rights of the Rohingyas to return to Myanmar with dignity and safety.