The BIMSTEC Youth Programmes, particularly the 2026 initiatives hosted by India, include the Youth Cultural Heritage and Sustainability Immersion Programme (March 17–23) and the Young Professionals Exchange Programme (March 9–15).
Key BIMSTEC Youth Initiatives in 2026
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- BIMSTEC Youth Cultural Heritage & Sustainability Immersion Programme (March 2026): Held in Madhya Pradesh, India, bringing together 80+ youth from BIMSTEC nations.
- 1st BIMSTEC Young Professionals Exchange Programme (March 2026): Held in Mumbai and Pune, India, engaging 30 professionals, innovators, and entrepreneurs to explore India’s technology ecosystem.
Background and Objectives
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- Host: India has taken a leading role in organizing these programs, aligning with its “Neighbourhood First” and “Act East” policies.
- Purpose: To strengthen people-to-people ties, foster innovation, and build lasting networks among future leaders, as recognized in the BIMSTEC Bangkok Vision 2030.
- Participants: Young leaders, professionals, and scouts from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
