H.E. the Secretary General Ambassador Md. Golam Sarwar calls on the Foreign Secretary of Maldives H.E. Fathimath Inaya today. They discussed ongoing activities of SAARC, its tremendous prospects and common challenges of the region, including climate change.

Male’, 04 August 2024

The Secretary General of SAARC, Ambassador Md. Golam Sarwar has arrived on his Introductory Visit to Maldives this afternoon. Secretary General was received at the airport by Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Maldives, Ambassador Mohamed Faisal.

During his visit to Male’, Secretary General will call on the President of the Republic of the Maldives, Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, Minister of Foreign Affairs Moosa Zameer and Foreign Secretary Fathimath Inaya. Additionally, Secretary General will also deliver a talk at the Foreign Service Institute.

The Secretary-General is accompanied by Shahiya Ali Manik, Director, Social Affairs and Bhavesh Trivedi, Director, Economic, Trade and Finance at the SAARC Secretariat, during his visit to Maldives.

His Excellency the Secretary General Ambassador Md. Golam Sarwar had a meeting with the Foreign Secretary of Sri Lanka Her Excellency Ms. Aruni Wijewardane on 02 August 2024 in Colombo. The Foreign Secretary welcomed Ambassador Sarwar who apprised her about the ongoing activities of SAARC.

The Secretary General appreciated the support of the Government of Sri Lanka in revitalizing the SAARC activities. He expressed appreciation to the esteemed Government of Sri Lanka for hosting the SAARC Cultural Centre and for its ongoing support in ensuring its smooth operation. He also urged the Government of Sri Lanka to rekindle the initiative to launch the long-awaited SAARC Passenger Ferry Service, connecting the three countries in the region: India, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka. The Foreign Secretary assured Sri Lanka's full support to re-invigorate the SAARC mechanisms and processes.

Earlier on the day, Secretary General Sarwar participated in the inauguration of the South Asia Trade Fair and Business Forum, organized by the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL).

02 August 2024

Today, H. E. the Secretary General welcomed an academic delegation from Sri Lanka on an official tour to Kathmandu, Nepal. The delegation was led by Dr. George Cook from the Regional Centre for Strategic Studies (RCSS) and included Professor Chaminda Padmakumara, Professor Maneesha Wanasinghe-Pasqual, and Mr. Umalinda Peirera, also representing the RCSS.

The delegation underscores the importance of collaboration and dialogue between SAARC and regional partners, aiming to strengthen strategic studies and mutual cooperation. The Secretary General assured his fullest support for collaboration with academia, particularly through the South Asian University. The delegation also applauded the Secretary General’s efforts to revitalize the SAARC process and recognized the potential of SAARC to foster regional development and unity. 

SAARC Secretariat 

Kathmandu, Nepal 

July 18, 2024