By TRN Online,

Kathmandu, Mar.30: Prime Minister (PM) Sher Bahadur Deuba addressed the 5^th summit of Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation(BIMSTEC) in a virtual meeting today saying that Nepal is committed to moving BIMSTEC process.

PM stressed the need for sustainable development for the overall social, economic, political development of the BIMSTEC nations. Shedding a light on the climate crisis south East Asia is facing, PM Dueba is committed to giving full support to climate resilience in line with the global ambition on climate change by 2050.

Similarly, the need for connectivity was highlighted by the PM, saying that there is a need for private partners, including BIMSTEC for Greener, Safer and Sustainable development.

He lauded the milestone that Nepal is being achieved in vaccinating people against COVID-19.

Informing that Nepal has received 47 million vaccines so far, PM Deuba said, “Nepal has inoculated 68 percent of the population with full dose and around 99 percent of the population that is eligible for vaccination.”

He further stressed that COVID-19 has reversed against development achieved so far and stressed on timely implementation of the BIMSTEC programs and policies for the overall development of all member nations. He called on all member nations to centralize power in order to give BIMSTEC a new lease of life with new commitments.

'For a vibrant, forward-looking, and integrated BIMSTEC region, we must promote Buddhism as a strong connecting thread. We call for an early operationalization of the Buddhist circuit connecting Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha.' PM Dueba emphasized

The President of Sri Lanka, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, is chairing the summit today while there is virtual participation of leaders of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Thailand.

Currently, there are seven members of BIMSTEC, which are Sri- Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Thailand.