Bangladesh has stressed revitalisation of SAARC to build a visible, functional and resilient regional platform for the welfare of over two billion South Asians.
The call was made at the second meeting of the SAARC Inter-Governmental Expert Group on Poverty Alleviation held in Malé, Maldives on April 22-23 to finalise the first SAARC Development Report titled “SDR 2025: Shaping the Future Together for a Resilient SAARC”, said a press release here.
The meeting was hosted by the Maldives government with administrative support from the SAARC Secretariat and financial and technical assistance from Asian Development Bank.
Deputy Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises of the Maldives Ali Rasheed chaired the meeting attended by delegations from SAARC member states comprising senior officials of foreign ministries and ministries dealing with development issues.
Delegations presented their national perspectives and priorities for SAARC development, highlighting the need for deeper regional cooperation to address shared vulnerabilities, strengthen collective resilience and promote inclusive growth across the region.
Bangladesh was represented by Dr Monzur Hossain, Member (Secretary) of the General Economics Division of the Planning Commission, and Director General of the SAARC and BIMSTEC Wing of the Foreign Ministry as well as National Focal Point to SAARC S. M. Mahbubul Alam.
During the deliberations, Bangladesh strongly emphasised revitalising the SAARC process, while other member states echoed similar sentiments for a visible, functional and resilient regional body.
