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SAARC Secretariat, Kathmandu (2026)

24/08/2026

SAARC workshop on women-led agri-livestock entrepreneurship begins in Sri Lanka
A three-day SAARC regional workshop aimed at advancing women’s economic empowerment through agri-livestock entrepreneurship and stronger market linkages began in Colombo, Sri Lanka, today (Monday), bringing together around 45 participants, including policymakers, professionals, government officials, technical experts and representatives of regional and international development organizations.

The inaugural program of the Regional Workshop on “Women Empowerment through Agri-Livestock Entrepreneurship Development and Market Linkage in South Asia”, being held on today (24th August 2026) jointly organized by the SAARC Agriculture Centre (SAC), the Department of Animal Production and Health (DAPH), Sri Lanka, the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), Bangladesh and Sustainable Agriculture Foundation (SAF), Bangladesh.

Representatives from SAARC Member States like Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka and leading development organizations, including CABI, Climate Action Network South Asia (CANSA), Welthungerhilfe (WHH), Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO), WAVE Foundation and Heifer International, are participating in the programme, creating a regional platform for sharing experiences, good practices and policy perspectives on women-led agri-livestock enterprises.

D P Wickramasinghe, Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, Sri Lanka, graced the inaugural session as chief guest, while Dr S Piyasiri, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, chaired the session. Dr B S S Perera, Director General, DAPH, delivered the welcome address.

Dr. Md. Younus Ali, Senior Program Specialist (Livestock), SAC, presented an overview of the regional workshop, while Dr G C S Kurugala, Director, Human Resource Development, DAPH, delivered the keynote presentation on sustainable agro-livestock entrepreneurship development and market linkage in South Asia.

The inaugural session was also addressed by Shahiya Ali Manik, Director (SA), SAARC Secretariat, Farhad Jamil, Executive Director, SAF; Dr Ashek Mahfuz, Portfolio Lead, GAIN; Tanvir Ahmad Torophder, Director (ARD & SDF), SAARC Secretariat, who joined virtually.

Women play a vital role in South Asia’s agriculture and livestock sectors, yet many continue to face barriers in accessing finance, technology, skills, organized markets and business development services. The workshop seeks to identify promising agri-livestock enterprises, promote women-led entrepreneurship, strengthen market access and develop practical pathways for improving the livelihoods and economic empowerment of smallholder women farmers.

Technical discussions during the workshop focus on entrepreneurship and market linkage, climate-resilient production, safe food and nutrition, family farming, resilient livelihoods, capacity development, and research and policy gaps affecting women and youth in agriculture. Country experiences and successful models are also being shared to identify opportunities for wider regional application.

A major expected outcome is the development of regional strategies and an action-oriented framework for strengthening women-led agri-livestock enterprises and market connectivity across South Asia. The workshop will conclude on 26 August with a field visit showcasing good practices in women’s empowerment, agri-livestock entrepreneurship and market linkage in Sri Lanka.

23/08/2026

SAARC Secretary General Pays Farewell Call on the Prime Minister of Bangladesh

Dhaka, Bangladesh: The Secretary General of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Ambassador Md. Golam Sarwar, paid a farewell courtesy call on the Hon’ble Prime Minister of Bangladesh, H.E. Mr. Tarique Rahman, MP, on 23 August 2026.

During the meeting, the Secretary General expressed his deep appreciation to the Government and people of Bangladesh for the country’s historic leadership and steadfast commitment to the SAARC process and regional cooperation. He underscored the enduring significance of SAARC as the premier regional platform for promoting peace, stability, prosperity and shared development in South Asia.

The Secretary General recalled with profound respect the visionary initiative of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman of Bangladesh, whose statesmanship and foresights led to the establishment of SAARC. He also highlighted Bangladesh’s pioneering role in the creation of the regional organization and its continued constructive contribution to advancing regional cooperation.

The Hon’ble Prime Minister emphasized that regional cooperation remains vital for addressing the common challenges facing South Asia and advancing the shared interests and aspirations of its peoples. He reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to strengthening the SAARC process and emphasized the need to keep the spirit of regional cooperation alive through sustained engagement, dialogue and practical collaboration among Member States.

The Hon’ble Prime Minister also shared his vision for a more dynamic, effective and people-centred SAARC, with greater focus on areas of mutual interest and practical cooperation that can directly contribute to the welfare and prosperity of the peoples of South Asia.

The Hon’ble Prime Minister also commended the Secretary General for his efforts to maintain and advance the activities of SAARC during his tenure and expressed appreciation for his dedication to keeping the regional process active through continued programmes, institutional engagement and cooperation among Member States.

The Secretary General also acknowledged Bangladesh’s important contribution as the host of the SAARC Agriculture Center and the South Asian Regional Standards Organization, and expressed sincere appreciation for the country’s longstanding support to SAARC and its Specialized Bodies and Regional Centres.

The meeting underscored the importance of translating the shared vision of SAARC into practical, people-centred and result-oriented cooperation, with greater emphasis on economic integration, connectivity, food security, climate resilience, sustainable development and enhanced people-to-people contacts.

The Secretary General expressed his sincere gratitude to the Hon’ble Prime Minister and the Government of Bangladesh for their continued support to SAARC. He reaffirmed his commitment to working closely with all Member States to advance the objectives of SAARC and contribute to the revitalization of the regional process, in keeping with the vision of its founding leaders and the aspirations of the peoples of South Asia.

21/08/2026

Join us for the fifth session of the SAARC Talk Series 2026.

Topic: ‘From Pustaka to Pecha: Connecting Buddhist Civilizations through a Shared Manuscript Heritage’

Speaker: Yeshi Lhendup
Deputy Chief Research Librarian
National Library & Archives of Bhutan
Department of Culture and Dzongkha Development
Ministry of Home Affairs, Thimphu

Date: Tuesday, 25th August 2026

Time: 03:00 pm (Sri Lanka Standard Time)

Platform: ZOOM

Join via Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84464234043
Meeting ID: 844 6423 4043

19/08/2026

Press Release

SAARC Secretary General had an interactive session with Young Diplomats on “Our South Asia, Our Future” at Foreign Service Academy of Bangladesh

Dhaka, 19 August 2026: H.E. Mr. Md. Golam Sarwar, Secretary General of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), delivered a keynote address titled “Our South Asia, Our Future: A New Generation’s Vision for SAARC” at the Foreign Service Academy, Bangladesh.

The session was held with the participants of the 32nd Specialized Training Course and the 4th Professional Master’s in International Relations and Diplomacy, providing an engaging platform for young diplomats to reflect on the future of regional cooperation in South Asia.

Following the keynote, H.E. the Secretary General participated in an interactive exchange of thoughts, questions and comments with the young diplomats. The discussion explored the role of the younger generation in advancing regional cooperation, strengthening people-to-people connectivity, and shaping a more peaceful, prosperous and resilient South Asia.

The session underscored the importance of nurturing a new generation of diplomats equipped with a strong understanding of regional challenges and opportunities, and committed to advancing the shared vision of “Our South Asia, Our Future.”

Earlier, Mr. Tanvir Ahmad Torophder, Director (Agriculture, Rural Development & SAARC Development Fund), SAARC Secretariat, briefed the participants on SAARC, including its history, objectives, institutional mechanisms, areas of cooperation and ongoing initiatives to promote regional collaboration.

19/08/2026

Happy Independence Day Afghanistan

18/08/2026

Press Release

SAARC Secretary General Visits SAARC Agriculture Centre and South Asian Regional Standards Organisation in Dhaka

Dhaka, 18 August 2026: The Secretary General of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), H.E. Md. Golam Sarwar, paid official visits to the SAARC Agriculture Centre (SAC) and the South Asian Regional Standards Organisation (SARSO). He was accompanied by Mr. Tanvir Ahmad Torophder, Director (Agriculture, Rural Development and SAARC Development Fund), SAARC Secretariat.

The Secretary General was warmly welcomed by the Directors and officials of both institutions. During the visits, the respective institutions briefed the Secretary General on their ongoing activities, key achievements, regional programmes, partnerships and proposed future actions. The meetings also provided an opportunity for an exchange of views on strengthening the role and effectiveness of the SAARC Specialized Bodies and Regional Centres in advancing regional cooperation.

The Secretary General appreciated the contributions of SAC and SARSO to the SAARC process and emphasized the need for the institutions to further strengthen their engagement with the Member States. He encouraged them to take proactive measures to enhance participation and ownership of regional programmes by Member States and to ensure that their activities respond effectively to regional priorities and emerging needs.

H.E. the Secretary General also underscored the importance of expanding collaboration with relevant development partners, international organizations, technical agencies and other stakeholders. He encouraged the institutions to mobilize partnerships and expertise to complement their respective mandates and broaden the impact of their programmes.

Emphasizing capacity development as a key area of regional cooperation, the Secretary General directed the institutions to develop tailored and needs-based capacity-building programmes, taking into account the specific requirements of the Member States while addressing shared regional challenges. He stressed that such programmes should be practical, demand-driven and designed to generate tangible benefits for the region.

The Secretary General further encouraged SAC and SARSO to enhance networking, knowledge-sharing and technical cooperation among the Member States and to identify new areas of collaboration that could contribute to strengthening regional integration, resilience and sustainable development in South Asia.

The visits reaffirmed the importance of the SAARC Specialized Bodies and Regional Centres as important platforms for translating regional priorities into concrete programmes and strengthening cooperation among the SAARC Member States.

He also unveiled the latest publication by SAARC Agriculture Center titled ‘Promotion of Regenerative Agriculture in SAARC Member States’.

17/08/2026

Press Release

SAARC Secretary General Pays Farewell Calls on the Foreign Minister, State Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh

Dhaka, Bangladesh: The Secretary General of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) H.E. Md. Golam Sarwar paid farewell courtesy calls on Hon’ble Foreign Minister of Bangladesh, Dr. Khalilur Rahman, Hon’ble State Minister for Foreign Affairs, H.E. Ms. Shama Obaed Islam MP, and Hon’ble Foreign Secretary, H.E. Mr. Asad Alam Siam, during his visit to Dhaka today.

During his meeting with Hon’ble Foreign Minister Dr. KhalilurRahman, the Secretary General expressed his appreciation for Bangladesh’s steadfast commitment to SAARC and exchanged views on the current state of the SAARC process and prospects for its revitalization. The Foreign Minister reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to strengthening regional cooperation and emphasized the continued significance of SAARC in promoting peace, stability, prosperity and shared development in South Asia.

In his meeting with Hon’ble State Minister for Foreign Affairs H.E. Ms. Shama Obaed Islam MP, the Secretary General highlighted Bangladesh’s historic and continuing contributions to SAARC and regional cooperation. They exchanged views on enhancing practical cooperation among Member States and strengthening engagement in areas of common regional interest. The State Minister reaffirmed Bangladesh’s support for revitalizing the SAARC process in accordance with the principles and objectives of the SAARC Charter.

During the meeting with Hon’ble Foreign Secretary H.E. Mr. Asad Alam Siam, the Secretary General discussed the importance of sustained engagement and dialogue among Member States for advancing the SAARC process. They also exchanged views on strengthening cooperation in areas including trade and investment, connectivity, food and energy security, agriculture, climate change, health and socio-economic development.

During the meetings, the Secretary General recalled with profound respect the visionary initiative of Late President ZiaurRahman of Bangladesh, whose visionary statesmanship led to the establishment of SAARC. He highlighted Bangladesh’s pioneering role in shaping the SAARC vision and acknowledged its special contributions through hosting three historic SAARC Summits and numerous initiatives spearheaded by Bangladesh to enrich the SAARC process.

The Secretary-General extended his appreciation for Bangladesh’s steadfast commitment to the SAARC process, applauding the nation's championing of regional integration and its hosting of key institutions, including the SAARC Agriculture Centre and the South Asian Regional Standards Organization.

The Secretary General was accompanied by Mr. Tanvir Ahmad Torophder, Director (ARD & SDF), SAARC Secretariat in the meetings. The meetings concluded with a shared commitment to sustaining the momentum for regional cooperation in keeping with the vision of the founding leaders and the aspirations of the peoples of South Asia.

15/08/2026

The SAARC Secretariat mourns the passing of H.E. Mr. Nihal Rodrigo and extends its deepest condolences to his family and the Government and people of Sri Lanka.

12/08/2026

Press Release

Foreign Secretary of the Republic of the Maldives hosts luncheon meeting for SAARC Secretary General

The Foreign Secretary of the Republic of the Maldives, Fathimath Inaya, hosted a luncheon meeting in the honor of Ambassador Md. Golam Sarwar, Secretary General of SAARC, who is on a farewell visit to Maldives. The luncheon was attended by senior officials of the Ministry and the SAARC Secretariat.

During the luncheon, the Foreign Secretary warmly acknowledged the Secretary General’s distinguished leadership and diplomatic skill in guiding the SAARC Secretariat, noting his pivotal role in sustaining the momentum of regional cooperation throughout his tenure. She conveyed deep appreciation for his unwavering commitment and tireless efforts in advancing functional collaboration among the member states.

The Secretary General thanked the Foreign Secretary for the warm hospitality and expressed his gratitude to the Government of Maldives for their consistent cooperation and support during his tenure. Both sides exchanged ideas on strengthening the SAARC Secretariat and enhancing institutional capacity to better serve the development goals of the South Asian region.

The Foreign Secretary extended his best wishes to the Secretary General for his future endeavors.

Malé
10 August 2026

11/08/2026

Press Release

SAARC Secretary General Pays Farewell Call on the Foreign Minister of the Republic of the Maldives

The Secretary General of SAARC paid a farewell courtesy call on the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Maldives, Iruthisham Adam at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Foreign Minister commended the Secretary General for his dedicated leadership and contributions toward strengthening the regional framework. She reaffirmed Maldives’ commitment to the SAARC Charter, emphasizing that a robust regional partnership is essential for women empowerment, trade connectivity, and tourism in South Asia. She further emphasized that Maldives remains ready to extend continued support for the full revitalization of the SAARC process.

The Secretary General expressed his deep gratitude to the Government and people of Maldives for their unwavering support during his tenure. He acknowledged Maldives’ proactive and constructive role in advancing SAARC’s core objectives. He also deeply appreciated the recent call of the Hon'ble President of Maldives to revitalize SAARC and offering his services in making extra efforts in this regard.

Both dignitaries exchanged views on the evolving landscape of regional cooperation, underscoring the importance of collective action to confront shared challenges such as access to health and pharmaceuticals, trade activities, socio-economic development, and regional connectivity.

The Foreign Minister extended his best wishes to the Secretary General for his future endeavors.

Malé
10 August 2026

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