On 11 April 2022, Ambassador Makawadee Sumitmor hosted dinner in honour of H.E. Mr. Tenzin Lekphell, Secretary General of BIMSTEC and all Directors representing member countries on the occasion that Thailand assumed BIMSTEC chairmanship. The Ambassador reiterated Thailand’s intention to work closely with all Member States towards realizing the vision the Prime Minister of Thailand presented at the 5^th BIMSTEC Summit on 30 March 2022: for Prosperous, Resilient and Robust, Open BIMSTEC or “PRO BIMSTEC”, while incorporating the BCG Economy Model as a guiding concept in each sector of cooperation. Thailand hopes to eventually create sustainable and balanced development in the region.

BIMSTEC was inaugurated in 1997. Its 7 members comprise of Thailand, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and India. The Secretariat of BIMSTEC is located in Dhaka. Thailand will be the Chair of BIMSTEC after Sri Lanka starting from the handing over ceremony at the 5^th Summit until the next summit which should be held every 2 years according to the charter.