The meeting also issued a Kathmandu Statement that focused on extending economic cooperation as well as raising trade and investment among member countries. [break]
The PPA, which was proposed by Nepal in consultation with other member countries, includes fostering accelerated, pro-poor and inclusive growth, social development, implementing targeted programs for poor and increase coverage of social protection.
Similarly, the eight-point PPA also incorporated the strategies of increased preparedness to address adverse effects of climate change, disaster risk management, good governance and periodic review of regional report, and review by member states.
The high-level meeting was attended by ministers and senior officials of seven member countries of the sub-regional block - Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Thailand, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
Issuing the Kathmandu Statement on Poverty Alleviation, member countries endorsed the PPA pledging to incorporate appropriate aspects of the plan of action in respective country´s plans and programs.
The member countries have also agreed to strengthen cooperation for natural disaster risk reduction, environmental protection and conservation, and develop a common framework for assessing climate change and environmental services for poverty alleviation.
Conducting frequent consultations among member countries on issues of international trade and investment and increasing human capital investment specifically for the poor and the vulnerable groups are the issues agreed at the meeting.
The meeting also agreed to make periodic review of the implementation and progress in reducing poverty level and human deprivation, to introduce legal provisions and developmental programs to empower women and mainstream them in all development activities.
The one-day ministerial meeting also decided to hold the third BIMSTEC ministerial meeting on poverty alleviation in Sri Lanka. Inaugurating the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha highlighted the role of global fraternity in poverty alleviation.
U Tin Naing Thein, minister for National Planning and Economic Development of Myanmar, stressed on national plans that should be in line with regional plans relating to poverty alleviation.
Vice-chairman of National Planning Commission Deependra Bahadur Kshetry said increase in literacy and school enrollment rate, increase in average life expectancy, reduction in child and maternal mortality are some of the remarkable achievements made by Nepal in recent years.
Vice-chairman of Poverty Alleviation Fund (PAF) of Nepal Janak Raj Joshi said the outcome of the meeting will pave the way for a meaningful impact on the lives of the poor and the marginalized communities.
The heads of delegations from member countries also met Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai on Monday.
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