ON the auspicious occasion of the 27th Anniversary of the founding of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), it is my honour to extend, on behalf of the Peoples and the Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, my warm wishes to the Peoples and Governments of BIMSTEC Member States as well as to the BIMSTEC Secretariat.

Over the past 27 years, BIMSTEC has made remarkable progress in fostering socioeconomic development of the region and strengthening its institutional mechanisms through close collaboration based on the principles enshrined in the 1997 Bangkok Declaration.

I am pleased to praise that BIMSTEC provides not only a platform for cooperation among regional countries but also promotes traditional friendship, mutual understanding, mutual respect, and enhanced people-to-people contacts among Member States. Moreover, the BIMSTEC Charter manifests our resolute commitment to regional economic growth and social progress in a way that provides mutual assistance while maintaining regional peace and stability.

I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate all Member States for the collective efforts exerted under the BIMSTEC framework in addressing various challenges. I believe that our solidarity and systematic cooperation, guided by the BIMSTEC Charter, will continue to be the strategic elements to overcome future challenges.

On this special occasion of the 27th Anniversary of BIMSTEC, I would like to reaffirm Myanmar’s commitment to active cooperation with fellow Member States in line with the principles enshrined in the BIMSTEC Charter. I wish BIMSTEC to be a stronger and more effective organization and to have every success in future endeavours of promoting the socioeconomic livelihoods of the peoples in the Bay of Bengal Region.

Signed by,

 Senior General Min Aung Hlaing

 Chairman

 State Administration Council

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