On 19 December 2024, Thailand, as Chair of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), hosted the 24th BIMSTEC Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) virtually. The meeting was chaired by H.E. Mr. Paisan Rupanichkij, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, with Ms. Rujikorn Saengchantr, Director-General of the Department of International Economic Affairs, attending as Thailand’s Senior Official.
At the meeting, Thailand proposed the establishment of 1) the BIMSTEC Centre of Excellence in Tropical Medicine and Public Health, aimed at addressing tropical health challenges in the region. 2) the BIMSTEC Excellence Centre in Public Audit (BECPA), designed to enhance regional cooperation among Supreme Audit Institutions and improve public sector accountability across Member States.
The Meeting also reviewed several documents relating to external partners, including the Permanent Observer Status of BIMSTEC at the United Nations and Cooperation between BIMSTEC and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN.
Moreover, Thailand informed the Meeting of its proposed schedule for the 6th BIMSTEC Summit and its preceding meetings in April 2025.
The BIMSTEC Senior Officials’ Meeting serves as a core mechanism responsible for preparation for the BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting, which includes reviewing the progress of various sectors of cooperation, and endorsing relevant documents for consideration by the Ministers.
