Bay of Bengal initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation

Workshop on Regional Cooperation among BIMSTEC Countries for Disaster Risk Reduction & Management

                                                                                                                                  New Delhi, 30-31 October, 2006
 


REPORT
 

INTRODUCTION
 

           At the invitation of the Government of India, a Workshop on Regional Cooperation among BIMSTEC Counties (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand) on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management  was held at New Delhi on 30-31 October 2006.  The list of participants is at Annex-I.
 

INAUGURATION
 
2.

Mr Rajiv Kumar, Director (National Disaster Management Division), Ministry of Home Affairs, welcomed the delegates.
 
3.

Mr. PG Dhar Chakrabarti Executive Director of the National Institute of Disaster Management, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India made a presentation on the Objectives & Expected Outcomes of the Workshop.  Full text of the presentation is at Annex-II.
 
4.

Mr. Bhagwant S. Bishnoi Joint Secretary (MER) in the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India inaugurated the workshop. He gave a brief background about the workshop in the context of the forthcoming BIMSTEC Summit in Delhi in February 2007. Full text of his Address is at Annex-III.
 
5.

Mr. Santosh Kumar, Professor (Policy Planning) National Institute of Disaster Management proposed a Vote of Thanks to the Chief Guest for gracing the Inaugural Session of the Meeting.
 

II         ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
 

6.

The Meeting had before it the Provisional Agenda which was adopted unanimously. The copy of the Agenda is at Annex-IV.
 

III.       ELECTION OF THE CHAIRPERSON
 

7.

Mr. P.G Dhar Chakrabarti Executive Director of the National Institute of Disaster Management, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India was elected as the Chairperson of the Meeting by acclamation.
 

IV.       DISCUSSION OF AGENDA
 

8.

Distinguished representatives from the participating Member Countries and resource persons made presentations on the various aspects and issues of regional cooperation. Copies of these presentations are at Annex – VI to XXVI.
 

V.        ADOPTION OF THE REPORT
 

9.

The Meeting adopted its Report as contained in Annex – V.
 

VII.     VOTE OF THANKS
 

10.

On behalf of visiting delegation, the member of the delegation of Bhutan, Dr Sonam Tenzin proposed a Vote of Thanks.  In his remarks, he expressed appreciation to the Government of India for the warm welcome and gracious hospitality extended to the delegations.  He appreciated the efficient manner in which the Chairperson guided the deliberations of the Meeting to a successful conclusion.  Distinguished members from Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar also thanked the Government of India for the excellent arrangements made for the Meeting.