KATHMANDU, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- Nepali Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has called for collective and decisive efforts among BIMSTEC countries to fight poverty and terrorism.
BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) groups Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Thailand.
While inaugurating BIMSTEC'S 15th ministerial meeting here on Thursday evening, the Nepali prime minister said poverty remains the most formidable challenge in the path to growth and prosperity.
He said prosperity will not be out of reach of the peoples in the sub-regions if resources are harnessed properly and utilized efficiently.
The Nepali prime minister also said, "Terrorism continues to be the greatest threat to peace, democracy, development and good neighborliness.
"Nepal firmly and unequivocally condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Terrorism cannot be justified on any grounds," he stressed.
Nepal is the current chair of the BIMSTEC, a sub-regional organization founded in 1997. The 15th ministerial meeting lasts two days.
