Governor inaugurates BIMSTEC Youth Leaders Summit 2025
Summit has potential to lay foundation for future possibilities: Governor
Appeals youth to tackle global challenges like climate change, natural disasters, and environmental degradation: Governor
Guwahati,Rongili Barta Assam Governor Shri Lakshman Prasad Acharya today inaugurated the BIMSTEC Youth Leaders Summit 2025, a gathering of emerging leaders from the Bay of Bengal region, at a city hotel in Guwahati. The summit is being hosted by the Bharat Scouts and Guides under the aegis of the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.
Addressing the delegates, Governor Shri Acharya described the summit as a confluence of ideas, a celebration of cultures, and a foundation for future possibilities. He emphasized the unifying role of BIMSTEC the Bay of Bengal initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation which brings together seven nations namely India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Thailand. “This platform unites us not just geographically, but emotionally, culturally, civilizationally, and historically,” the Governor said.
Shri Acharya extended his heartfelt appreciation to the Bharat Scouts and Guides for their pivotal role in organizing the event. He praised the organization for upholding the values of service, peace, harmony, and inclusivity that are increasingly relevant in today’s interconnected world.
Highlighting the strategic significance of the BIMSTEC, Shri Acharya noted that the real strength of the region lies in its youth. He commended that today’s young generation is rising above borders to become bridges of peace, collaboration, and innovation in areas such as trade, technology, tourism, and environmental protection.
Shri Acharya thanked the organizer for choosing Guwahati as the venue for the BIMSTEC Summit. Recalling the rich legacy of youth leadership in Northeast India, the Governor paid tribute to iconic freedom fighters such as Kanaklata Barua of Assam, Bir Tikendrajit Singh and Rani Gaidinliu of Manipur, and Tirot Singh of Meghalaya, calling them eternal sources of inspiration for generations to come.
The summit, supported by the Government of India, seeks to empower youth as catalysts of innovation, development, and social change. Shri Acharya remarked that national missions like Startup India, Skill India, and Atmanirbhar Bharat will gain renewed momentum through such initiatives.
Quoting Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Governor said, “If you call yourself a leader, then you have to be decisive. If you are decisive, then you have the chance to be a leader. These are two sides to the same coin.” This sums up the essence of the summit, urging youth to embrace the Prime Minister’s call for reform, perform and transform.
Governor Shri Acharya encouraged young leaders to focus on skills, innovation, digital learning, student exchange, and joint research. He emphasized the importance of aligning with campaigns like ‘Vocal for Local’ to achieve both economic empowerment and cultural self-reliance.
The Governor further called upon the youth to engage proactively in tackling global challenges such as climate change, natural disasters, and environmental degradation and reminded them that leadership is not merely a position, but a responsibility toward society, the nation, and humanity. As the summit brings together dynamic youth leaders from BIMSTEC countries, it promises to be a powerful platform for collaboration, policy dialogue, and building a shared vision for the future.
Joint Secretary, BIMSTEC & SAARC Division, Ministry of External Affairs, GoI Mr. C.S.R. Ram, President of Bharat Scouts and Guides Dr. Anil Kumar Jain, Chief National Commissioner of Bharat Scouts and Guides, Dr. K.K. Khandelwal along with a host of other dignitaries were present on the occasion.