H. E. Mr. Amjad Hussain B. Sial, Secretary General of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) addressed the First SAARC Agri Cooperative Business Forum in Kathmandu this morning.

Devoted to the theme, Organizing and Strengthening Family Farmers’ Cooperatives to attain SDG-1 and SDG-2 in South Asia, the Forum was co-organized by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Asian Farmers’ Association (AFA) with the support from International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

The three-day Forum brings together representatives both from the government and non-governmental entities from the Member States of SAARC as well as from regional and international organizations. It will conclude on 30 August 2018.

Addressing the Inaugural Session of the Forum, the Secretary General said, “South Asia is home to around a quarter of the global population, majority of whom live in the rural areas and depend on natural resources like land, freshwater, coastal fisheries, and forests. Much of the agricultural production in the region is undertaken by smallholders with very small landholdings, while women play a significant role in agriculture.” He added, “In the context of diminishing farm sizes, sustainable Family Farmers’ Cooperatives can play an instrumental role in achieving food security, improving nutrition and developing value chain, eventually contributing to poverty alleviation and ending hunger.”

Referring to the SAARC Agriculture Vision 2020 adopted by the SAARC Agriculture Ministers in 2008, the Secretary General said, “Small-sized farms in South Asia face serious constraints in adopting modern technology and in marketing their produce. To some extent, the size disadvantage can be obviated through contract and cooperative farming.”

In his statement, Mr. Sial also made a reference to the Declaration of the Eighteenth SAARC Summit, in which, SAARC leaders, inter alia, recognized the potential of Cooperatives in “achieving inclusive, broad-based and sustainable economic growth and development,” and called for “sharing of experiences, expertise and best practices in this sector.” He stated that following the inclusion of Cooperatives as an agreed area of cooperation, an intergovernmental process is underway for finalizing the SAARC Plan of Action for cooperation in matters relating to Cooperatives.

In concluding his remarks, he said, “Agricultural Cooperatives can be an effective instrument in tackling the formidable challenge of poverty in the SAARC region. Reaching out to the marginalized segments of the society, Cooperatives can help in employment generation by encouraging small and medium enterprises in communities. Women and the vibrant youth population, with proper awareness and education on agriculture cooperatives, could also be utilized in the poverty eradication programmes in the region.”

Kathmandu, 28 August 2018.

H. E. Mr. Amjad Hussain B. Sial, Secretary General of SAARC, congratulated H. E. Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi on his appointment as the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

On behalf of officials of the SAARC Secretariat and on his own behalf, the Secretary General said, “We wish to extend very warm welcome to Your Excellency to the distinguished fraternity of the Council of Ministers, comprising Foreign Ministers of the Member States of SAARC. Your Excellency’s contribution to the SAARC process during 2008-2011 had been commendable. We are confident that given your vast knowledge and rich experience, Your Excellency will significantly contribute to further promoting the SAARC process in the attainment of the objectives of SAARC, as enshrined in its Charter.”

In his letter to the Foreign Minister, the Secretary General appreciated the vital role being played by Pakistan in the evolution of regional cooperation since the inception of SAARC in December 1985. He said, “Several initiatives spearheaded by Pakistan continue to contribute to the SAARC process for socio-economic development and amelioration of the living standards of the peoples in the region.”

Acknowledging the support of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to SAARC and the SAARC Secretariat, the Secretary General expressed the hope that the Nineteenth SAARC Summit will be held soon at Islamabad to provide renewed impetus to the SAARC process.

The Secretary General also wished the Foreign Minister every success during his term of office.

Kathmandu, 20 August 2018

H. E. Mr. Amjad Hussain B. Sial, Secretary General of SAARC, felicitated His Excellency Mr. Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi, on his appointment as the Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

In his letter to the Prime Minister, the Secretary General said, “Your Excellency’s appointment to the exalted position reflects the trust and confidence reposed in your leadership by the people of Pakistan.”

The Secretary General acknowledged the significant role played by Pakistan since the inception of SAARC in December 1985 in strengthening regional cooperation in South Asia. He said, “One of the cardinal objectives of SAARC is to promote the welfare of the peoples of SAARC and Pakistan has made laudable contribution in this regard.”

The Secretary General expressed the hope that conducive environment will be created for early convening of the Nineteenth SAARC Summit at Islamabad.

The Secretary General also conveyed good wishes for great success in the exalted position of the Prime Minister of Pakistan.

Kathmandu, 18 August 2018

H. E. Mr. Amjad Hussain B. Sial, Secretary General of SAARC, addressed the Opening Ceremony of the Asian Youth Assembly-2018 this morning. The Assembly was devoted to the theme, “Revitalizing Asian Youth Integration for Climate Change in the era of SDGs.”

Organized by the Global Youth Parliament in cordination with the Youth Parliament of Nepal, the Assembly brought together a large number of young participants from Asia to discuss the role of youth in creating awareness about and averting the adverse impacts of Climate Change.

In his Address, the Secretary General congratulated the organizers for choosing an apt theme for the Assembly. He said, “The relevance of the theme of this meeting stems from the fact that the challenges of Climate Change and Sustainable Development are interlinked that must be addressed concomitantly to deliver a stable and secure world to our future generations. There is, therefore, urgent need to effectively address the Climate Change issues to accelerate progress towards the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals.”

“Youth constitute a growing proportion of the world’s population, with a majority of them living in Asia. The South Asian region as well is experiencing increase in the proportion of youth in the total population. This creates a potential window of opportunity for the youth to shape the destiny of our region for the betterment of our future generations,” he stated. He briefed the Assembly about the initiatives taken by SAARC towards the overall development of youth in the region, with particular reference to the SAARC Social Charter, SAARC Youth Charter and SAARC Youth Awards Scheme.

“Climate Change has emerged as a global threat, posing a serious risk to the fundamental rights to life, health, food and an adequate standard of living of individuals and communities across the world, including the South Asian region. Frequent earthquakes, cyclones, floods, droughts, tsunamis, landslides, and heat and cold waves have been impinging lives, property, and livelihoods across the region. Global warming and rising sea levels are other existential threats to the humanity,” he said. He informed the gathering about the activities undertaken by SAARC in preserving and protecting the environment and making South Asia resilient to Climate Change and disaster risks. 

In concluding his remarks, the Secretary General said, “I wish to call upon the youth of today, who are our future, to act as an “Agent of Change” in creating a safer and better world to live in. I say this not only because you are the ones who are to inhabit the Earth tomorrow. I say this also because you inherit the responsibility to protect your own habitat.”

Kathmandu, 11 August 2018