SAARC Programming Committee Holds Meeting in Kathmandu

The Programming Committee of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) recently convened its Fifty-ninth Session at the SAARC Secretariat in Kathmandu on 06-07 March 2024. This in-person session marked a significant return after a four-year hiatus. The last physical meeting of the committee was held in Kathmandu on 19 December 2019, while the Fifty-eighth Session took place virtually on 15 December 2020.

Under the current leadership of the Government of Nepal, which holds the Chair of the SAARC Programming Committee, representatives from SAARC member states including Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka came together. Her Excellency Ms. Sewa Lamsal, Foreign Secretary of Nepal and Chairperson of the SAARC Standing Committee, graced the Inaugural Session as the Chief Guest. In her address, she emphasized the importance of regular meetings of SAARC’s Charter Bodies, stressing Nepal’s commitment to navigating SAARC through challenges.

H.E. Mr. Md. Golam Sarwar, Secretary General of SAARC, also addressed the session, emphasizing the need to make SAARC more “people-centric” and promote public-private partnerships. He advocated for the activation of Action Committees to bolster sub-regional cooperation and enhance engagement with development partners.

Chaired by Ms. Rita Dhital, Joint Secretary (Regional Organizations Division) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal, the Fifty-ninth Session reviewed regional cooperation progress and finalized budgets and Calendars of Activities for 2024. Additionally, the nomination of Dr. Shahzad Afzal from Pakistan as the Director General of the South Asian Regional Standards Organization (SARSO) was confirmed.

The session witnessed participation from Heads of all Specialized Bodies and Regional Centres from across SAARC capitals. With a focus on enhancing collaboration and steering SAARC towards its objectives, the Programming Committee’s session in Kathmandu laid the groundwork for continued regional cooperation and development.