H.E. the Secretary General Ambassador Md. Golam Sarwar participated on 21 May 2024 in an in-house discussion at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) on the theme "Prospects and Challenges of Regional Cooperation in South Asia".
During the programme, the Secretary General made a presentation on SAARC, its areas of cooperation, priorities, institutional arrangements, opportunities and challenges.
Regional cooperation is more of a necessity than a choice for greater prosperity, the Secretary General said, the cost of lack of cooperation will be much higher than what we have foreseen.
We need to seize upon opportunities to promote regional integration by aligning the vision of our Leaders with the aspirations of our people, he added.
The programme was moderated by H.E. Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, the Former Foreign Secretary of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, who now heads ISSI as its Director General.

His Excellency Ambassador Md. Golam Sarwar, the Secretary General of SAARC, held a meeting with the Foreign Secretary of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan His Excellency Ambassador Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi in Islamabad today.
During the meeting, the two dignitaries exchanged views on the importance of regional cooperation, and revitalizing SAARC process; and discussed ways forward.
H.E. the Secretary General shared about the recent activities of SAARC, its regional centres and specialized bodies; and matters related to their functioning. He underscored the importance of Member States' cooperation in moving ahead on the agendas of regional cooperation.
H.E. the Foreign Secretary reiterated the commitment of the Government of Pakistan in strengthening SAARC.

H.E. Ambassador Md. Golam Sarwar, the Secretary General of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation paid a courtesy call on His Excellency Mr. Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in Islamabad today. During the meeting, H.E. the Secretary General briefed the Honourable Prime Minister on the recent activities of SAARC and emphasized the need of sincere efforts from all Member States in reinvigorating the SAARC process. The Prime Minister, while elucidating the wide-ranging benefits of regional cooperation for the people of South Asia, expressed Pakistan’s firm commitment in strengthening SAARC and assured full support to carry the SAARC process forward. The Prime Minister also retariated Pakistan's desire to host the 19th SAARC Summit at the earliest. As part of his ongoing tour of the SAARC Member States, the Secretary General is currently undertaking an introductory visit to Pakistan.5/5

Commencing his introductory visit to Pakistan, H.E. Ambassador Md. Golam Sarwar, the Secretary General, participated today in the interactive session on "Reinvigorating SAARC" organized by the Institute of Regional Studies (IRS). In his remarks, the Secretary General highlighted the efforts in moving ahead in the defined areas of cooperation; elucidated on accomplishments so far as well as firm commitment from the Member States for the SAARC process; emphasized the role of think-tanks and opinion makers in building positive opinion on regional cooperation; and underscored the need to revitalize SAARC. The interactive session was attended by representatives of diplomatic missions of SAARC Member States, representatives from think-tanks, media and distinguished personalities having expertise in regional affairs. IRS is Islamabad-based eminent think-tank currently presided by Ambassador Jauhar Saleem, Former Foreign Secretary of Pakistan.