KATHMANDU: The 62nd Session of the Programming Committee of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) began on Wednesday in Kathmandu, according to the SAARC Secretariat.
The meeting, being held under Nepal’s chairmanship, is scheduled to conclude today. It has brought together National Focal Points and delegates from SAARC Member States, along with senior officials from the SAARC Secretariat.
Inaugurating the session, Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai underscored the vital role of Programming Committee meetings in keeping SAARC functional and focused.
According to the Secretariat, Rai stated that regional cooperation is not merely “desirable but also essential,” as it bridges national efforts with global processes and provides a platform for collective regional solutions.
Reaffirming Nepal’s strong belief in the continued relevance of SAARC, he proposed a gradual, step-by-step approach to resuming pending meetings.
Rai emphasized that a pragmatic, flexible, and forward-looking approach would help ensure that SAARC, along with its Regional Centres and Specialized Bodies, remains capable and empowered to address emerging challenges and deliver tangible benefits to the people of the region.
Similarly, SAARC Secretary General Md. Golam Sarwar called for a more dynamic future, urging practical steps to transform the aspiration for cooperation into meaningful progress.
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