Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Friday called for deeper regional cooperation within Bimstec to transform the Bay of Bengal region into a “prosperous, resilient and open” hub.

Delivering his statement at the sixth Bimstec Summit in Bangkok, Thailand, Oli said the regional grouping must navigate present-day global uncertainties and seize opportunities to foster prosperity, resilience and openness.

“Today’s theme is not just a slogan, but a call to action,” he said.

While stressing on strengthening people-to-people connectivity through sustainable tourism, cultural exchanges, educational linkages, and cross-border investments, the prime minister said that “A visa-on-arrival policy within BIMSTEC would be a game-changer in easing travel and fostering deeper regional bonds.”

He said implementation of BIMSTEC Master Plan for Transport Connectivity and BIMSTEC Agreement on Maritime Transport Cooperation in a time-bound manner will bring about significant progress in this regard.

He drew the attention of the regional leaders towards the fact that intra-regional trade in BIMSTEC remains a mere 5 percent–far lower than ASEAN, EU, or NAFTA.

“Our region is among the least integrated globally, barring natural interconnections among our societies, economies and nations,” he said. “We must prioritise digital integration to facilitate e-commerce, cross-border payments, and e-governance.

He called for prioritisation of research and development to drive innovation and address shared challenges–from climate change to food security to technology-driven economic transformation.

The prime minister expressed condolences to Myanmar and Thailand for the loss of lives and properties caused by recent earthquakes. He reaffirmed Nepal’s solidarity with the affected countries and thanked the Thai government for its warm hospitality and effective summit arrangements.

Recalling the founding of Bimstec in Bangkok over two decades ago, Oli said that while the region has made significant economic progress, challenges persist. “We live in a world rife with compounding challenges—economic disparities, environmental vulnerabilities, and political uncertainties,” he said.

He underlined that prosperity must be treated as an obligation rather than an option, especially given the persistent poverty in the region.

“Given the immense potential of the region, prosperity is not a mere wishful thinking; it is an achievable destiny,” Oli said.

He stressed strategic and sustainable use of resources, human capital investment, and enhanced regional connectivity to drive prosperity.

Oli urged member states to implement the Bimstec Master Plan for Transport Connectivity and the Bimstec Agreement on Maritime Transport Cooperation in a time-bound manner. He also called for preferential support for member states with special needs.

On resilience, Oli warned of intensifying global risks, from climate change to technological disruptions. “In such an uncertain world, resilience is our strongest defence… our road to robustness,” he said. Highlighting Nepal’s vulnerability to climate change, he said, “Our high Himalayas are perennial water towers and cooling stations of Asia,” noting their increasing fragility despite Nepal’s negligible emissions.

He invited Bimstec leaders to attend the first edition of Sagarmatha Sambaad in Nepal this May, which will focus on mountain-ocean linkages and climate issues.

Oli also called for stronger cooperation on renewable energy, disaster preparedness, health resilience, and inclusive economic policies. He said development must be people-centric and aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.

On openness, Oli said it is the foundational value for long-term stability. He proposed a Bimstec-wide visa-on-arrival policy and prioritisation of digital integration for cross-border payments, e-commerce, and e-governance. He also emphasised the importance of research and innovation to tackle common challenges.

Welcoming the adoption of the Bimstec Bangkok Vision 2030, Oli said, “It is our collective responsibility to ensure that no Bimstec nation is left behind.” He reaffirmed Nepal’s commitment to the Bimstec Charter and to leading the People-to-People Contact Sector.

Quoting the Buddha, Oli concluded: “However many holy words you read, however many you speak, what good will they do you if you do not act upon them?”

He urged member states to translate their commitments into action and transform the region together.