Dr Yunus urges all to rise above differences to bolster BIMSTEC

Bangkok (Thailand), April 4 (UNB/BSS): Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Friday called upon the leaders of BIMSTEC-member states to extend their valued support in redeeming their collective commitments to revitalise the organisation, rising above differences and divergences.

"We need a genuinely shared sense of mutual confidence and mutuality of interests, rising above our differences and divergences," he said while delivering his speech at the BIMSTEC Summit.

Thai Prime Minister and outgoing Chair of the Summit Paetongtarn Shinawatra and leaders of the member-states were present.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus proposed a four-point agenda for the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC).

He suggested harnessing the power of the youth, saying Bangladeshi youths are showing so much of intent and action, from the front, even to reform some of the long-established notions in governance.

The chief adviser proposed rolling out a more inclusive set of actions to augment AI and related 4IR tools and applications that connect farming - learning -  health, particularly of vast small-holder population across the region.

Prof Yunus recommended opening up all ways and means for BIMSTEC countries and communities to vigorously engage in knowledge sphere - to generate, innovate, share their wealth of capacities.

He also proposed establishing an eco-system where actors beyond governments can join hands with the BIMSTEC to address the exigencies and challenges - be in public health or, natural disasters or, climate adaptation.

"Time is not on our side. We have to transform, not just make transition. That is why Bangladesh intends to champion a world of three Zeros: of Zero Poverty, Zero Unemployment, and Zero Carbon," Prof Yunus said.

"As Bangladesh assumes the BIMSTEC Chairmanship, I would call upon all of you, indeed to my fellow leaders present, to extend your valued support," said the Chief Adviser.

Dr Yunus said they need to be driven by the impact and results whatever they undertake or do collectively,

Approaching the fourth decade, he said, they need to re-discover the modalities and institutions of regional and sub-regional collaboration under BIMSTEC.

Addressing the inequality of income and choices, balancing economy and ecology need to be overriding objectives in pursuing tge sectoral cooperation.

"While each of our countries pursue our national interests, we also need to appreciate the same of 'others' in the table in shaping and moving our wider cooperative agenda," Dr Yunus said.

In a fast-moving world, he said, comparing the developments of the past decade seems a bit distant past.

"Many of long-held norms, regulations are giving in. I find institutions often struggling to meet people's aspirations," Dr Yunus said.