On 3 April 2025, the second day of the 6ᵗʰ BIMSTEC Summit and Related Meetings being held in Bangkok, in the morning, H.E. Mr. Maris Sangiampongsa, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, chaired the 20ᵗʰ BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting, with H.E. Mr. Chutintorn Gongsakdi, Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, attending as representative of Thailand’s Minister.

The Meeting deliberated on important documents and decisions in preparation for the 6ᵗʰ BIMSTEC Summit to be held on 4 April 2025. The Ministers endorsed 19 key documents; including Plans of Action in the various sectors of cooperation including Science, Technology and Innovation, and Human Resource Development. Notably, discussions were also held to enhance efforts on disaster management cooperation, especially in relation to the impact of the earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand on 28 March 2025.

Prior to the Meeting, the Ministers signed the BIMSTEC Agreement on Maritime Transport Cooperation, which will strengthen maritime connectivity within the BIMSTEC region. Also, the Memorandum of Understanding between BIMSTEC and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), and the Memorandum of Understanding between BIMSTEC and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), were signed. The two Memoranda of Understanding will tighten inter-organisational cooperation and enhance BIMSTEC’s role in the international arena.

In the afternoon, the 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 by 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 of BIMSTEC. The event also welcomed His Excellency Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, as the keynote speaker, where he emphasised the innovative character of the new generation, the importance of starting small and replicating, upscaling and impacting change, the importance of imagination, purpose in life and social enterprise.

In the evening, H.E. Ms. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Prime Minister, hosted the Official Dinner of the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, prior to the Summit that will take place on 4 April 2025. The evening featured cultural performances titled “Wealthy Bengal”, “Rice Blessing Dance”, and “Kinnaree Classical Dance” by the Bunditpatanasilpa Institute of the Ministry of Culture. These performances reflect Thai cultural identities, as well as the ways of life and aspirations of the Member States and the BIMSTEC grouping.