28 August 2025

Kathmandu, Nepal

The SAARC Secretariat, in collaboration with the SAARC Agriculture Centre (SAC) and Welthungerhilfe, organized the First Follow-up Meeting on the Way Forward of the Regional Workshop on “Promoting Agro-ecological Approaches for Sustainable Transformation of Agri-food Systems in South Asia” on 28 August 2025 at the SAARC Secretariat, Kathmandu, in hybrid mode. The workshop was held in Thimphu, Bhutan, from 29 to 31 July 2025.

The objective of the Meeting was to determine concrete actions on Agro-ecological matter for advancing the welfare of the region, particularly for farmers and other stakeholders in the agri-food system.

The Meeting was attended by the Director (ARD & SDF) of the SAARC Secretariat, the Director of SAC, the Country Director of Welthungerhilfe Nepal, representatives from some SAARC Member States, representatives from IFAD, agricultural experts, academicians, and think tanks, who attended the workshop in Thimphu, Bhutan. Participants shared valuable insights and perspectives to further strengthen collaboration in promoting agro-ecological approaches for the sustainable transformation of agri-food systems in South Asia.

The Meeting concluded with a set of recommendations and concrete action plans aimed at enhancing cooperation and ensuring sustainability in the region’s agriculture sector.