Ambassador Md. Golam Sarwar, Secretary General of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), met with Ms. Christine Arab, Regional Director, UN Women, Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok.

The meeting provided an opportunity for both sides to engage in constructive discussions on matters of mutual understanding and cooperation. The dialogue highlighted shared priorities in advancing gender equality, promoting women’s empowerment, and strengthening partnerships to support inclusive development across South Asia.

Ambassador Sarwar underscored SAARC’s commitment to fostering collaboration with international organizations to address regional challenges, while the Regional Director reaffirmed UN Women’s dedication to supporting initiatives that enhance social welfare and resilience for women and girls.

The meeting emphasized the importance of continued engagement between SAARC and UN Women in exploring opportunities for joint initiatives that align with their common vision of equality, inclusion, and sustainable development.

SAARC Secretariat
Kathmandu, 28 November 2025

Ambassador Md. Golam Sarwar, Secretary General of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), met with Ms. Deepali Khanna, Senior Vice President & Head of Asia, The Rockefeller Foundation, in Bangkok.

During the meeting, both engaged in constructive discussions on matters of mutual understanding and cooperation. The dialogue highlighted shared priorities in advancing regional development, promoting social welfare, and strengthening partnerships that contribute to the well-being of communities across South Asia.

Ambassador Sarwar emphasized SAARC’s commitment to fostering collaboration with international institutions to address pressing regional challenges, while Ms. Khanna reaffirmed The Rockefeller Foundation’s dedication to supporting innovative solutions that improve lives and build resilience.

The meeting underscored the importance of continued engagement between SAARC and The Rockefeller Foundation in exploring opportunities for joint initiatives that align with their common vision of inclusive growth and sustainable development.

SAARC Secretariat
Kathmandu, 28 November 2025

The 61^st Session of the Programming Committee of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) commenced today. The Meeting, being held in virtual platform, brings together senior officials from the Member States, Heads of SAARC Specialized Bodies and SAARC Regional Centres, as well as senior officials from the Secretariat.

The SAARC Programming Committee meeting is being held under the Chairmanship of Nepal and is attended by the National Focal Points of the SAARC Member States, comprising of Joint Secretary/ Director General of the Ministries of Foreign/External Affairs of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

The Session was formally opened by Mr. Kiran Shakya, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal and the Chairperson of the SAARC Programming Committee. In his opening remarks, extended a warm welcome to the participants. The Joint Secretary stated that SAARC, as the premier regional organization of our region, continues to serve as an essential platform for dialogue, collaboration and collective action among our Member States. He added that this gathering remind us that SAARC remains a vital regional mechanism for addressing our shared challenges and harnessing the vast opportunities before us and to stay relevant and effective, SAARC must continue evolving and strengthening its institutions and ensuring that its activities yield tangible benefits for the peoples of South Asia.

Present at the Programming Committee, Ambassador Md. Golam Sarwar, the Secretary General of SAARC, thanked the Member States for their steadfast support. He stated that positioned at the forefront of the role of the Programming Committee, as an important Charter Body of SAARC, cannot be overstated. He added that SAARC was founded on the belief that through cooperation and shared purpose, the nations of South Asia can achieve more collectively than individually. He also mentioned SAARC will be commemorating the 40^th Anniversary of the adoption of its Charter in the coming days, and added that while it is a matter of profound joy and pride, it is also a time to reflect on the journey of SAARC, the achievements made, the challenges faced and the future it looks at.

During the Session, the Committee will be reviewing and finalizing the budgets and Calendars of Activities of the Specialized Bodies and Regional Centres for 2026.

SAARC Secretariat

Kathmandu, 26 November 2025

SDF Board holds its 41st Meeting in Colombo

20 November 2025 – The 41st Meeting of the SAARC Development Fund (SDF) Board of Directors was held in a hybrid format – in-person in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and via video conference – on 20 November 2025. Board Directors from the Member States joined the session to review progress and discuss strategic priorities.

The Meeting was opened by the Chairperson of the Board, Member from Bangladesh. During the session, the Member from Bhutan was appointed as the new Chairperson of the SDF Board.

The Board extended its appreciation to the outgoing Chair for his leadership and efforts in strengthening SDF’s governance and operational processes, and welcomed the new SDF Board Chair. The Officer-in-Charge of SDF also welcomed the Board Directors and acknowledged the contributions of the Chair during his tenure.

During the meeting, the Board deliberated on a range of strategic issues related to the Secretariat’s functions and the Fund’s project collaboration mandate. Members provided several directives to guide the Secretariat’s work and operational priorities. The Board also conveyed its appreciation to the Government of Sri Lanka for hosting the meeting.