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.

Doha, Qatar | 6 November 2025 — Ambassador Md. Golam Sarwar, Secretary General of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) delivered a compelling address at the Plenary Meeting of the Second World Summit for Social Development, held from 4–6 November 2025 in Doha, Qatar. The Summit convened under the theme: “Questions Relating to the World Social Situation and to Youth, Ageing, Persons with Disabilities and the Family.”

Representing the collective voice of South Asia, the Secretary General extended warm greetings and expressed deep appreciation to the State of Qatar and the United Nations for convening the Summit after three decades under a theme that places human dignity and inclusivity at its core.

In his address, the Secretary General emphasized South Asia’s demographic significance, being home to nearly one-fourth of humanity. He acknowledged both the region’s rich cultural heritage and the pressing social challenges it faces, including poverty, inequality, ageing populations, and the exclusion of marginalized groups.

Highlighting SAARC’s commitment to inclusive development, the Secretary General underscored the role of the SAARC Charter and the SAARC Social Charter (2004) in guiding regional cooperation across key social sectors. He noted tangible progress in areas such as poverty reduction, gender equality, literacy, and life expectancy, attributing these gains to shared experiences and collaborative policy frameworks among SAARC Member States.

The Secretary General spotlighted youth as South Asia’s greatest asset, with nearly half the population under the age of twenty-five. Through initiatives like the SAARC Youth Charter and Youth Awards, the region is nurturing leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

The Secretary General also reaffirmed SAARC’s commitment to supporting ageing populations through a forthcoming Plan of Action on the Elderly, aimed at promoting healthcare, income security, and intergenerational solidarity.

On the inclusion of persons with disabilities, the Secretary General noted that Member States are aligning national policies with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, advancing accessibility, inclusive education, and technology-driven empowerment.

Concluding his remarks, the Secretary General reaffirmed SAARC’s unwavering commitment to building societies that are inclusive, compassionate, and just. He called upon the international community to work in solidarity to ensure that every individual regardless of age, ability, or background can live with dignity, opportunity, and hope.

SAARC Secretariat
Kathmandu, 06 November 2025