The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) has been admitted as a sector member of the International Telecommunication Union Development Sector (ITU-D), its Secretariat said on Monday.

The ITU Council, at its 2026 Session held from April 28 to May 8, approved BIMSTEC’s application for membership in ITU-D.

The decision was formally communicated to BIMSTEC Secretary General Indra Mani Pandey by ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin through her letter dated May 28.

This development marks a significant milestone in strengthening BIMSTEC’s engagement with ITU for advancing regional cooperation in information and communication technologies, artificial intelligence, digital connectivity, capacity building and telecommunications development, said the regional body.

BIMSTEC’s participation in ITU-D is expected to facilitate closer collaboration with ITU and create additional opportunities for BIMSTEC Member States to benefit from ITU’s expertise, resources, programmes and activities.

The BIMSTEC Secretariat will endeavour to leverage these opportunities, particularly in the fields of ICT and AI, for the benefit of the BIMSTEC Member States.

BIMSTEC said it attaches high importance to digital and AI technologies as key enablers of socio-economic development, regional connectivity, innovation and digital transformation.

Its association with ITU will provide a valuable platform to further advance cooperation in emerging technologies, promote inclusive digital development and support sustainable development across the BIMSTEC region, BIMSTEC said.

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