Kathmandu. The 61st Session of the Programming Committee of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) commenced on Wednesday in a virtual format, gathering senior officials from all Member States, Heads of SAARC Specialized Bodies, Regional Centres, and representatives from the SAARC Secretariat.
Chaired by Nepal, the meeting includes National Focal Points from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, comprising Joint Secretaries and Director Generals from their respective Ministries of Foreign/External Affairs, according to a press statement issued by the SAARC Secretariat.
The Session was formally inaugurated by Kiran Shakya, Joint Secretary at Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Chairperson of the Programming Committee. In his opening remarks, Shakya underscored SAARC’s enduring role as a vital platform for regional dialogue, collaboration, and collective action. He noted that the Committee’s gathering reaffirms SAARC’s relevance in addressing shared challenges and leveraging regional opportunities.
“To stay effective, SAARC must evolve, strengthen its institutions, and ensure its programs deliver tangible benefits for the peoples of South Asia,” Shakya stated.
SAARC Secretary General Ambassador Md. Golam Sarwar expressed appreciation for the Member States’ sustained commitment. He highlighted the pivotal role of the Programming Committee as a key Charter Body of SAARC and reiterated the organization’s foundational principle of achieving more collectively than individually.
Ambassador Sarwar also noted that SAARC is preparing to commemorate the 40th anniversary of its Charter, describing it as both a moment of pride and an opportunity to reflect on the organization’s progress, challenges, and future direction.
During the ongoing Session, the Committee will review and finalize the budgets and Calendars of Activities of SAARC Specialized Bodies and Regional Centres for 2026.
