On 6 June 2021, H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha (Ret.), Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, and H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, sent congratulatory messages on the occasion of BIMSTEC Day, 7 June 2021, as follows:

Office of the Prime Minister, Government House,

BANGKOK.

6 June B.E. 2564 (2021)

On behalf of the Government and the people of the Kingdom of Thailand, I am pleased to extend my warmest congratulations to the BIMSTEC Member States on the auspicious occasion of the 24th Anniversary of BIMSTEC.

Over the years, BIMSTEC has proven to be a “bridge of friendship,” connecting the peoples of South and Southeast Asia. Though divided by geography, we are joined together by cultural heritage, mutual goodwill and the shared ambition of security and prosperity. Our small community of nations has always worked closely together towards mutual prosperity through promoting trade and economic cooperation, facilitating business, enhancing people-to-people contacts, and furthering connectivity and security. Together we have accomplished the strengthening of BIMSTEC institutions, including the prioritisation of the seven sectors of cooperation, and the Master Plan on Transport Connectivity. In the future, I firmly believe that BIMSTEC will accomplish realising these institutions into concrete cooperation, which will further empower us to tackle the challenges that lie ahead .

With this faith in the capacity and potential of BIMSTEC, Thailand pledges to continue our utmost support to furthering BIMSTEC cooperation in both physical connectivity and enhancing an enabling environment for our peoples. We have come far in twenty four years, and I am certain that, with the spirit of friendship and solidarity, we will continue to maximize our full potential in the decades to come. 

Since its inception, BIMSTEC has represented the Bay of Bengal’s collective hope of growth, resilience, openness and interconnectedness. I believe that the journey that lies ahead for BIMSTEC will continue to embody the spirit of its foundation, and lead this region to a prosperous future.

Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha (Ret.)

Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand

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Ministry of Foreign Affairs,

Sri Ayudhya Road,

Bangkok 10400.

6 June B.E. 2564 (2021)

I wish to extend my sincere congratulations to the Governments and the peoples of BIMSTEC on the auspicious occasion of BIMSTEC Day 2021.

Over the past two decades, BIMSTEC has matured into a vibrant regional mechanism that fosters a close cooperation among the countries in the Bay of Bengal in areas that improve our peoples’ livelihood through promoting trade and economic cooperation, facilitating business, enhancing people-to-people contacts, and furthering connectivity and security.

We have together accomplished the institution strengthening and sector prioritising, and the Master Plan on Transport Connectivity – all important foundation on which further cooperation will be built. With the same will power and mutual respect, I believe that BIMSTEC will continue to enhance the agreement frameworks for our trade and businesses to prosper, our peoples to become closer, and to enhance our regional connectivity for mutual benefits. 

At the same time, BIMSTEC must continue to be a platform to assist Member States with their socio-economic recovery from the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.  For Thailand, such recovery can be accomplished through the “Bio-Circular-Green Economy Model”, which emphasises investment in new technology for a balanced and sustainable growth path. Thailand will be exploring this concept during our Chairmanship by focusing cooperation in efficient use of resources, waste reduction and low-carbon emission. The BCG could be a new economic paradigm that strives for a balanced and sustainable growth for us all.

With a solid foundation, strengthened institution, and goodwill and solidarity, I am certain that the BIMSTEC community will leap forward in achieving sustainable recovery and forge ahead to the best of our potential.

(Don Pramudwinai)

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand

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