Desk Report:
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has emphasized on strengthening regional cooperation in South Asia and making SAARC more effective, dynamic and people-centric.
He emphasized this issue when SAARC Secretary General Ambassador Md. Golam Sarwar paid a farewell courtesy call on the Prime Minister in Dhaka on Sunday (August 23, 2026).
During the meeting, the SAARC Secretary General expressed deep gratitude to the government and people of Bangladesh and praised Bangladesh’s historical leadership and continuous commitment to the SAARC process and regional cooperation. He said that SAARC is still an important regional platform to ensure peace, stability, prosperity and common development in South Asia.
Showing deep respect for the visionary initiative and leadership of martyred President Ziaur Rahman in establishing SAARC, Golam Sarwar said that Bangladesh played a pioneering role in establishing SAARC and the country has been making constructive contributions to advancing regional cooperation for a long time.
The Prime Minister said that regional cooperation is very important in addressing the common challenges of South Asia and realizing the common interests and aspirations of the people. She reiterated Bangladesh’s commitment to further strengthening the SAARC process.
She said that the spirit of regional cooperation should be promoted through continuous communication, dialogue and practical cooperation among the member states. At the same time, there is a need to further strengthen SAARC’s activities on issues of mutual interest that can directly contribute to the welfare and prosperity of the people.
The Prime Minister also said that she wants to see a more dynamic, effective and people-centric SAARC. She emphasized on prioritizing practical and fruitful cooperation in areas such as economic integration, connectivity, food security, climate resilience, sustainable development and increasing people-to-people contacts.
The Prime Minister also appreciated his efforts to mobilize and advance the activities of the organization during his tenure as the SAARC Secretary General. She expressed gratitude to Golam Sarwar for keeping the SAARC regional process active through various programs, institutional engagement and cooperation among the member states.
The SAARC Secretary General noted Bangladesh’s contribution in hosting and operating important institutions such as the SAARC Agricultural Centre and the South Asian Regional Standards Organisation in Bangladesh. He expressed his sincere gratitude for Bangladesh’s long-standing cooperation with SAARC and its specialized agencies and regional centres.
During the meeting, both sides emphasized the need to translate SAARC’s common goals and vision into practical, people-centric and results-based cooperation.
The outgoing SAARC Secretary General expressed his sincere gratitude to the Prime Minister and the Government of Bangladesh for their continued cooperation. He reiterated his commitment to work closely with all member states to revitalize the regional process in line with the vision of the founding leaders of SAARC and the aspirations of the people of South Asia.
