Sri Lanka urges BIMSTEC Member States to embrace ‘new normal’ for regional prosperity

Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Colombage

Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Colombage chairing the 21st Session of the Senior Officials’ Meeting (SoM) last week urged BIMSTEC Member States to embrace the “new normal, and adapt fast”. 

In his inaugural remarks, at the first virtual meeting held on 2 September, the Foreign Secretary stated that global dynamics will not be the same after the COVID-19 pandemic as it has affected all states, in various degrees, as it transformed from a health crisis to an economic and human crisis as described by the United Nations Secretary General António Guterres. 

In fact, he stated that the crisis has affected the very fabric of daily life of BIMSTEC Member States as economic activities have slowed down with global and regional value chains disrupted, millions of people have lost their jobs with many pushed into poverty and therefore the meeting was timely, as it is an opportunity to build on the assurances made by Heads of State of BIMSTEC Members on combatting the adverse effects of COVID-19 at the 23rd Anniversary of the BIMSTEC Day held in June. 

He said that their messages were clear and encouraging as the leaders had reiterated and acknowledged the need to build a better and resilient organisation that could leverage regional cooperation in the recovery and rehabilitation process post-COVID-19.

Given that the region is home to 23% of the world population, Foreign Secretary stated that the devastating effects affecting the vulnerable sections can only cripple economies and divert resources that were once used for upward mobility in Member States. The collective GDP of $ 3 trillion, which was a benchmark prior to the pandemic, should not become an unattainable goal in the face of this devastation, he said and that the goal should be to surpass. 

Therefore, he stated that the sector-driven organisation should collectively promote trade and investment cooperation, strengthen energy cooperation, increase connectivity and people-to-people contact, focus on disaster management and public health, combat terrorism and extremism, deal with the adverse effects of climate change and work towards poverty alleviation.

As the lead country for Information, Technology and Innovation sector in BIMSTEC, Sri Lanka informed that it will put forward proposals that would enhance the use of technological tools in daily life to address post-COVID-19 effects and also cater to the demand for internet based economic activities and that the proposed setting up of the BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility, in Colombo would further augment the work Sri Lanka proposes to undertake in the sector.

The 21st SoM was preceded by the Fourth BIMSTEC Permanent Working Committee (BPWC) chaired by Additional Secretary Economic Affairs Ambassador P.M. Amza of the Foreign Ministry.

The discussion of the meetings centred on administrative procedures and financial considerations of the organisation and preparation and finalisation of documents for the approval at the 17th Ministerial Meeting and adoption at the fifth BIMSTEC Summit.

The Sri Lanka delegation indicated its readiness to host the fifth BIMSTEC Summit preceded by the 17th Ministerial meeting, as it has earned the ‘Safe Travels’ stamp from the World Travel & Tourism Council in recognition of the comprehensive health and safety measures the Government has put in place. The dates of the meeting are to be decided in consultation with Member States, given that the Member States are in different stages in combatting the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Member States commended the work of Ambassador Shahidul Islam, whose three-year term as Secretary General will come to an end in the later part of September. Sri Lanka made special note of his contribution and support during its Chair. The Member States also took note of the nomination of Tenzin Lekphell as the next Secretary General of BIMSTEC from Bhutan.

Proposed by Sri Lanka, the Member States, observed a minute’s silence in solidarity with the President, Prime Minister and the people of India on the sad occasion of the demise of former President of India Pranab Mukherjee.

The Sri Lanka delegation comprised Actg. Director General of Economic Affairs (Multilateral) Anzul Jhan, Deputy Legal Adviser Tilani Silva, and Executive Assistant Kalani Dharmasena of the Foreign Ministry.