SAARC Secretary General Pays Farewell Call on Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, Stresses Revitalization of Regional Body

Dragon Media News Desk

Secretary General of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Ambassador Md. Golam Sarwar, has paid a farewell courtesy call on Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, with discussions focusing on revitalizing SAARC as a more effective, people-centered and results-oriented regional organization.

During the meeting in Dhaka on Sunday, Sarwar praised Bangladesh’s historic role in the establishment of SAARC and in institutionalizing regional cooperation in South Asia. He said SAARC continues to remain the region’s principal platform for promoting peace, stability, prosperity and shared development.

The Secretary General recalled the role of former Bangladesh President Ziaur Rahman in advancing the idea of institutional cooperation among South Asian countries, noting that his initiative helped lay the foundation for SAARC. The organization was formally established in Dhaka in 1985.

Prime Minister Rahman said regional cooperation remains essential for addressing common challenges facing South Asia. He stressed the importance of keeping the spirit of SAARC alive through sustained dialogue, practical cooperation and continued political engagement among member states.

He said the future of SAARC should be more dynamic, effective and people-centered, with greater emphasis on areas that can directly contribute to improving living standards and prosperity across the region.

Economic integration, regional connectivity, food security, climate resilience, sustainable development and stronger people-to-people contacts were identified during the meeting as important areas for future SAARC cooperation.

Prime Minister Rahman also praised Sarwar’s efforts to maintain SAARC’s institutional activities and programs during his tenure despite the political challenges facing the regional organization.

Sarwar, in turn, highlighted Bangladesh’s contribution to regional cooperation through its hosting of the SAARC Agriculture Centre and the South Asian Regional Standards Organization. He also expressed appreciation for Bangladesh’s longstanding support for SAARC’s specialized bodies and regional centers.

Both sides emphasized the need to translate SAARC’s shared vision into practical and results-oriented programs rather than limiting regional cooperation to declarations and formal commitments.

Sarwar expressed gratitude for the support provided by the Government of Bangladesh during his tenure and said expanding cooperation among member states and revitalizing the SAARC process remained closely connected with the aspirations of the peoples of South Asia.

Although SAARC has remained largely inactive at the summit level in recent years, several of its regional centers, technical mechanisms and institutional programs continue to operate. Bangladesh has recently renewed its call for sustained political dialogue and practical cooperation to restore momentum to the regional process.