Press Release issued by The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Royal Government of Bhutan

H.E. Mr. Amjad Hussian B. Sial, Secretary General of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is on an introductory visit to Bhutan from 25-28 April 2017.

His Majesty the King granted audience to the Secretary General on 27 April, 2017 at Tashichhodzong.

The Secretary General also called on Hon’ble Foreign Minister Lyonpo Damcho Dorji and met Foreign Secretary Ambassador Sonam Tshong. During the meetings, both Foreign Minister and Foreign Secretary extended warm welcome and congratulated him on his appointment as the new Secretary General of SAARC. They expressed confidence in taking SAARC process forward under his leadership and reaffirmed the Royal Government’s commitment and support to further consolidating regional cooperation and deepening friendship among the SAARC Member States. Views on various activities relating to SAARC and the need to keep the process moving forward were also exchanged during the meetings.

The Secretary General also made a familiarization visit to the Secretariat of the SAARC Development Fund (SDF) in Thimphu on 25 April, 2017.

H.E. Mr. Amjad Hussian B. Sial is from Pakistan and succeeded H.E. Mr. Arjun Bahadur Thapa from Nepal. He assumed office as the Secretary General of SAARC on 1 March, 2017.

The Secretary General was accompanied by Mr. Sangye Rinchhen, Director at the SAARC Secretariat.

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Royal Government of Bhutan

Press Release issued by The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Royal Government of Bhutan

H.E. Mr. Amjad Hussian B. Sial, Secretary General of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) called on Hon’ble Foreign Minister Lyonpo Damcho Dorji on 26 April, 2017 at Gyalyong Tshokhang. He also met Foreign Secretary Ambassador Sonam Tshong on 25 April, 2017. They exchanged views on various activities relating to SAARC and the need to keep the process moving forward.

The Secretary General is on an introductory visit to Bhutan from 25-28 April 2017. He assumed office as the Secretary General of SAARC on 1 March, 2017. He was accompanied by Mr. Sangye Rinchhen, Director-Bhutan at the SAARC Secretariat.

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Royal Government of Bhutan

The new Secretary-General of SAARC pays a courtesy call on the President 
03 April 2017, Ref: 2017-88

Press Release issued by The President’s Office of Maldives

The new Secretary-General of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), His Excellency Amjad Hussain B. Sial paid a courtesy call on President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, this morning, at the President’s Office.

At the ceremony, the President welcomed the Secretary-General to the Maldives and congratulated him on the assumption of office.

During the call, the President expressed hope that under the leadership of the Secretary-General, further upward momentum in SAARC would be gained and maintained, while emphasising that the need to review economic cooperation within SAARC is imperative. He further highlighted on the viable opportunities through SAARC to enhance regional cooperation and integration in areas of mutual interest. The President noted that to achieve the objectives and principles of the SAARC charter, the Association needs to gravitate towards a more forward-looking approach and expressed hope that necessary measures will be taken by the member states to come to an amicable agreement with regard to the SAARC process.

The Secretary-General thanked the President for receiving him and expressed pleasure for the opportunity to meet with the President. He also thanked the President for the support and cooperation extended by the Government of Maldives for the progress of the people of South Asia through SAARC and its various mechanisms.

The President was accompanied at the call by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E Dr. Mohamed Asim, and the Minister of State for Foreign Relations at the President’s Office, H.E Mr. Mohamed Naseer.

Press Release issued by Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Maldives

Secretary General of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) pays a Courtesy Call on the Minister 

03 April 2017

His Excellency Amjad Hussain B. Sial, Secretary General of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Asim today.   

Minister Asim congratulated H.E. Mr. Amjad Hussain B. Sial on his assignment as the Secretary General of SAARC and expressed desire to see a more active role of SAARC in strengthening the regional cooperation under his leadership.

During the meeting, Minister Asim reiterated the support and cooperation of the Government of Maldives to engage constructively with the Secretary General and the Secretariat and offer its full support and cooperation for the progress of the people of South Asia, through SAARC and its various mechanisms.

Foreign Minister Dr. Asim was accompanied by His Excellency Mr. Ahmed Khaleel Secretary, Bilateral and Ms. Aishath Azeema, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Secretary General was accompanied by Ms. Fathimath Najwa, Director at the SAARC Secretariat.

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maldives 

ENDS