Foreign Minister Dr Rana stresses greater cooperation on climate change

Foreign Minister Dr Arzu Rana Deuba has called for greater cooperation on climate change and disaster preparedness among the BIMSTEC member states.

Welcoming the India’s initiative to establish the BIMSTEC Center of Excellence in Disaster Management, Minister Rana stressed the need for resilient infrastructure and AI-driven solutions during a ministerial level meeting held in Bangkok today.

"I called for greater cooperation on climate change and disaster preparedness and welcomed India’s initiative to establish the BIMSTEC Center of Excellence in Disaster Management and stressed the need for resilient infrastructure and AI-driven solutions," Minister Rana said.

The discussions were focused on the connectivity, trade, and sustainable development to advance BIMSTEC’s shared vision during the meeting. 

While reaffirming Nepal’s commitment to regional cooperation, Minister Rana emphasized the need for stronger political will to realize a Prosperous, Resilient, and Open BIMSTEC.

Meanwhile, she also urged expedited implementation of the Bangkok Vision 2030 and the EPG Report during BIMSTEC summit in Bangkok.

She further expressed Nepal's commitment to enhancing regional cooperation in Culture, Tourism and Poverty Alleviation and announced that the upcoming BIMSTEC Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting would be held in Kathmandu. Meanwhile, she also invited BIMSTEC leaders to the Sagarmatha Sambaad to be held in Kathmandu in May.

Minister Rana also held a meeting with Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment of Sri Lanka, Arun Hemachandra, on the sidelines of the 6th BIMSTEC Summit.

During the meeting, views on Nepal-Sri Lanka ties were exchanged, with a focus on enhancing diplomatic and tourism exchanges, air connectivity, and trade, Minister Rana mentioned on X.

The sixth summit of BIMSTEC is underway in Bangkok, Thailand since April 2. It will come to an end on April 4.