KATHMANDU
The first-ever Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Youth Summit 2025 was held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, from February 7 to 11.
The BIMSTEC is a regional organisation comprising India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Nepal, and Bhutan. The event brought youth from seven member countries. It addressed climate change, poverty, and sustainability while increasing cooperation in the Bay of Bengal region. The event emphasised skill development, entrepreneurship, and regional cooperation.
The summit's main highlights included its theme, 'Youth as a Bridge for Intra-BIMSTEC Exchange'. It highlighted the fact that youth make up more than 60 per cent of BIMSTEC's 1.8 billion population, emphasising their importance in regional development.
Allison Sapkota Pandey, Palesha Goverdhan, Saraswoti Khatri, Skanda Gautam, Manoj Satyal, KP Khanal, Serene Khatiwada, Raj Bikram Maharjan and Bal Krishna Sah from Nepal participated in the summit that went to great lengths to highlight and showcase the potential of the global south's youth, who represent the region's 1.8 billion people.
The first day included informative sessions on cultural connections and digital infrastructure, as well as a multilingual music festival to celebrate Gujarat's rich cultural heritage. This experience was both heartwarming and enlightening, emphasising the value of remaining connected to one's roots.
The following days' discussions focused on cutting-edge topics such as artificial intelligence, startups, and cybersecurity, providing an in-depth look at the future of innovation.
The nine-member delegate also had the honour to represent Nepal's stances on the global stage. The delegation led by Serene Khatiwada shared that Nepal recently received a BB minus debut sovereign credit rating (being directly involved in this exercise) and the recent release of the forward-looking Youth Vision prioritising education, entrepreneurship, digital transformation, and youth-led civic leadership. "The summit reinforced the power of regional partnerships and youth-led solutions for a resilient future," said Serene.
Stating that Nepal's vibrant youth (42.5 per cent of the population, median age ~25) and the country's demographic dividend, which has the potential to drive economic growth, he said, "Engaging in dialogues with delegates, the consensus around collaborative opportunities in AI, sports, sustainable finance, and art to foster innovation and inclusive development were some of the key takeaways."
For Palesha Goverdhan, the summit was an intense but enriching three-day experience that included four sessions per day. "It was a fantastic opportunity to meet young leaders from different countries, exchange ideas, and gain insights into AI, its implementation, benefits, and challenges. Despite the tight schedule, the atmosphere was lively, and each discussion felt meaningful," she said.
"India, as the host, impressed with its incredible hospitality, delicious food, and welcoming people. While networking with international delegates was enjoyable, the highlight was bonding with Team Nepal. Learning from each other and sharing experiences made the summit even more memorable. It was a journey of knowledge, connections, and unforgettable moments!"
Saraswoti Khatri emphasised that attending the Youth BIMSTEC Summit in Ahmedabad was a truly enriching experience, as she had the honour of representing Nepal through music.
"Engaging with like-minded youth and experts from diverse fields, I gained valuable insights into how technology can facilitate cultural exchange and foster inclusivity. The summit provided an invaluable platform for both personal and professional growth, leaving me inspired and motivated to incorporate these lessons into my future endeavours," she stated.
"These sessions broadened my perspective as an artist, helping me understand how emerging technologies can drive creativity and societal progress."
Skanda Gautam, a photojournalist based in Kathmandu, Nepal, primarily documents news, culture, daily life, and breaking events across the country. He shared that attending the summit in provided him with insights into today's rapidly changing world, where advancements such as blockchain, AI, and cybersecurity are reshaping journalism.
According to him, blockchain can help protect photo copyrights and ensure authenticity, preventing image manipulation or misuse. AI tools enhance photo editing, automate metadata tagging, and improve visual storytelling. Meanwhile, cybersecurity is crucial to safeguarding his work from digital threats.
"BIMSTEC opened opportunities for collaboration with other youth from different nations. By collaborating, we can investigate ethical AI in journalism, create secure platforms for image sharing, and promote responsible use of digital tools in storytelling," he stated.
"Discussions centred on how these advancements can enhance transparency, security, and efficiency in various industries. Networking with delegates from various backgrounds provided valuable opportunities for idea exchange and potential collaborations. This experience provided deep insights into the role of technology in shaping the future of our region."
Allison Sapkota Pandey described the summit as an extremely beneficial experience. She stated that by engaging with young leaders from across the region, she was able to share Nepal's fight against human trafficking as well as the growing concern about drug abuse among young people.
"We also discussed the importance of digital literacy and blockchain in developing safer, more transparent systems to protect vulnerable communities. Hearing diverse perspectives reinforced how interconnected our challenges are-and how collaboration can spark real change," she said. "The summit was a space to learn, share, and build lasting connections, reminding me that when youth come together, our voices can shape a better future!"
Manoj Satyal, a Kathmandu-based journalist, shared that BIMSTEC countries are diverse yet connected by culture. These countries have come together for economic growth. But in the era of digitalisation, these countries are facing the challenge of a digital divide within the countries.
"India is currently leading in digital development in South and East Asia. India's UPI has been accepted by some countries. Now, the youth of these countries are banding together to use technology for development," he explained.
"India is also working on a data security law and expects a $10 billion investment in data centres. BIMSTEC countries should, in unison, speak with one voice about the use of these data centres and technological advancement. I feel proud to participate in the summit and get the chance to understand technological advancement and development in this sector."
Similarly, Raj Bikram Maharjan, co-founder of Airlift Technology and Galli Maps, expressed that the summit brought in several youths from various BIMSTEC countries together on one platform to share ideas, views and technologies.
"The main focus of the summit was AI, digital governance, and cyber security. As someone with a background in technology, this three-day summit was eye-opening for me. I learnt how important it is to update and upgrade both yourself and your company in order to remain relevant and progress. I look forward to such events in the future also," he said.
Another delegate, KP Khanal, stated that attending the summit solidified his belief that youth-led civic leadership is the foundation of societal transformation.
"Engaging with global peers, including MPs from Sri Lanka and Bhutan, I learnt how grassroots stories can shape policy-like a Bangladeshi leader who transformed community narratives into climate resilience laws," he said.
"The summit's focus on technology, governance, and cross-border collaboration resonated deeply. While AI and cybersecurity dominated discussions, I emphasised that sustainable progress begins with human connection. The mantra that I heard, 'Lead with your story,' echoed my own journey: from local activism to advocating for national policy reforms."
