On 3 April 2025, the Department of International Economic Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, co-organised  with TNN World the “BIMSTEC Young Gen Forum: Where the Future Meets” at ICONSIAM, Bangkok. This event was held at the margins of the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, hosted by the Government of Thailand. On this occasion, H.E. Mr. Varawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Social Development and Human Security; H.E. Ms. Jiraporn Sindhuprai, Minister Attached to the Prime Minister’s Office; and H.E. Mr. Paisan Rupanichkij, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, welcomed His Excellency Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of the Government of Bangladesh, as the keynote speaker.

The Forum is Thailand’s initiative and served as a platform for young entrepreneurs from BIMSTEC Member States to exchange visions, share experiences, and build networks across seven key areas: trade and investment, environment and climate change, security, agriculture and food security, people-to-people connectivity, science, technology and innovation, and regional connectivity.

In his opening remarks, the Deputy Permanent Secretary emphasised the importance of regional cooperation through BIMSTEC in tackling shared challenges. He highlighted the role of young entrepreneurs as drivers of sustainable growth and resilience under the “PRO BIMSTEC” vision, which focused on Prosperity, Resilience, and Openness, and encouraged active participation in idea exchange to foster future collaboration across the region.

Professor Yunus delivered a keynote address emphasising the innovative character of the new generations, the importance of starting small and replicating, upscaling and impacting change, the importance of imagination, purpose in life and social enterprise. This was followed by an engaging exchange with the participants of the event.

The Forum proceeded with two key panel discussions: “Innovation and Drivers of Economic Growth,” featuring speakers from Thailand, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka; and the “Sustainability and Human Resource Development,” with representatives from Myanmar, Bhutan, Nepal, and India. The event attracted over 300 participants and concluded with a Networking Reception to strengthen economic partnerships and regional cooperation within BIMSTEC.