On 10 – 12 September 2024, H.E. Mr. Soonthorn Chaiyindeepum, Eminent Person from Thailand, chaired the final meeting of the Eminent Persons’ Group (EPG) on the Future Direction of BIMSTEC at the BIMSTEC Secretariat in Dhaka, Bangladesh, to conclude and approve the final Report of the Eminent Persons’ Group which will be submitted to the BIMSTEC Leaders for consideration at the next summit meeting to be held in Thailand.

The report reviews and evaluates the current BIMSTEC process, focusing on the implementation of decisions and directives from Leaders and Ministers, progress in the seven sectors of cooperation, engagement of stakeholders, and the functioning of existing BIMSTEC Centres of Excellence. It also addresses the implementation of the Bangkok Vision 2030, set to be adopted at the 6th summit, and the alignment of BIMSTEC’s cooperation with the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The report outlines a strategic roadmap for BIMSTEC’s future direction, offering recommendations to enhance its efficiency in addressing emerging challenges and public expectations. Additionally, it proposes measures to strengthen the BIMSTEC Secretariat, raising it to the level of similar regional organisations. The EPG further suggests a range of initiatives to deliver tangible benefits to the people of BIMSTEC by 2027, marking the organisation’s 30th anniversary.

In a letter dated 12 September 2024, the Chair of the EPG forwarded the group’s report to the Leaders through H.E. Mr. Maris Sangiampongsa, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand and Chair of the 20th BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting. The report will be considered at the upcoming 6th BIMSTEC Summit, scheduled to take place in Bangkok, Thailand, later in 2024.