Photo : Collected

DHAKA, July 8, 2025 (BSS) - BIMSTEC, in partnership with the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies (IPCS) and the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD), has launched a pioneering report emphasising the urgent need to harmonise humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HA/DR) efforts across the Bay of Bengal region in the face of intensifying climate-induced disasters.

The report, titled Harmonising Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief in the Bay of Bengal, was formally launched at the BIMSTEC Secretariat in Dhaka on Tuesday, marking a significant step towards strengthening regional cooperation in disaster response and climate resilience.

BIMSTEC Secretary General Indra Mani Pandey and Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh Abdul Motaleb Sarker attended the launch event, said a press release.
 
Speaking on the occasion, the BIMSTEC Secretary General stressed the importance of collective action in the face of growing climate vulnerabilities and natural disasters in the Bay of Bengal region.

"As BIMSTEC continues to grow in relevance, we must focus on building disaster-resilient infrastructure and strengthening regional preparedness. The report makes a timely and important case for harmonising disaster response efforts-and rightly recognises BIMSTEC as the platform to lead that charge," Pandey said.

Sarker underscored that the report comes at a critical juncture as climate-induced disasters intensify across the region.

"Our collective response must be swift, more coordinated, and grounded in shared systems," he said, reaffirming Bangladesh's commitment, as the current Chair of BIMSTEC, to supporting greater alignment and enhanced regional cooperation in disaster preparedness and response.

Highlighting Bangladesh's proactive role in driving the disaster management agenda within BIMSTEC, the Additional Secretary noted that harmonisation of HA/DR efforts is essential to building a resilient Bay of Bengal region and safeguarding the livelihoods of millions vulnerable to climate shocks.

The report draws upon insights gathered during the IPCS-BIMSTEC-HD policy implementation workshop held in Bangkok in October 2024, which convened regional experts, policymakers, and practitioners to address the challenges of disaster preparedness amidst increasing climate risks.

It recommended several priority actions for the BIMSTEC Disaster Management Centre (BDMC), including establishing a research database through collaboration with specialised organisations, setting up a unified Regional Climate Disaster Mapping and Response Centre, enhancing crisis communications across the Bay of Bengal, and instituting a cost-sharing and prepositioning programme for HA/DR equipment and supplies within the BDMC framework.

Participants at the launch engaged in interactive discussions on advancing coordinated disaster management initiatives across BIMSTEC member states, reflecting a shared commitment to building a robust and responsive regional HA/DR ecosystem.

Disaster management remains a key pillar of BIMSTEC cooperation, with the expert group on disaster management currently working to finalise a Plan of Action to improve preparedness and coordination among member states. 
BIMSTEC has also set up a Centre for Weather and Climate in Noida, India, to provide tailored forecasts, and has conducted three rounds of regional disaster management exercises.

A BIMSTEC Disaster Management Centre is also proposed to further anchor and institutionalise cooperation on disaster management among member states.

The regional platform comprises seven countries of the Bay of Bengal region: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.