KATHMANDU: The 61st Session of the Programming Committee of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) commenced on Wednesday.
The meeting, held virtually, brings together senior officials from Member States, Heads of SAARC Specialized Bodies and Regional Centres, as well as senior officials from the SAARC Secretariat.
According to a press statement issued by the SAARC Secretariat, the Programming Committee meeting is being held under the Chairmanship of Nepal and is attended by the National Focal Points of the SAARC Member States.
These include Joint Secretaries and Director Generals of the Ministries of Foreign/External Affairs of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
The Session was formally opened by Kiran Shakya, Joint Secretary at Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Chairperson of the SAARC Programming Committee. In his opening remarks, Shakya stated that SAARC, as the region’s premier regional organization, continues to serve as a vital platform for dialogue, collaboration, and collective action among Member States.
He emphasized that the gathering underscores SAARC’s importance as a regional mechanism for addressing shared challenges and harnessing existing opportunities. He added that to remain relevant and effective, SAARC must continue evolving, strengthening its institutions, and ensuring that its activities provide tangible benefits to the peoples of South Asia.
Addressing the Committee, SAARC Secretary General Ambassador Md. Golam Sarwar thanked Member States for their continued support. He highlighted the central role of the Programming Committee as an important Charter Body of SAARC. He reiterated that SAARC was founded on the belief that through cooperation and shared purpose, South Asian nations can achieve more collectively than individually.
He also noted that SAARC will soon mark the 40th anniversary of the adoption of its Charter—an occasion not only of pride and celebration but also of reflection on its journey, achievements, challenges, and future direction.
During the Session, the Committee will review and finalize the budgets and Calendars of Activities of the Specialized Bodies and Regional Centres for 2026.
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