“Economic empowerment of women falling below the poverty line has to be our primary objective, if we were to achieve gender equality and accelerated economic growth in South Asia,” said H. E. Mr. Amjad Hussain B. Sial, Secretary General of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

 

The Secretary General, as the Chief Guest, made these remarks addressing the Inaugural Session of the Tenth Annual General Meeting of the SAARC Business Association of Home-based Workers (SABAH) in Kathmandu today. Chief Patron of SABAH, Ms. Chandni Joshi; Chairperson of SABAH; UN Resident Coordinator; and Head of UNWomen in Kathmandu also addressed the Meeting.

 

The Secretary General stated, “During SAARC Summits, our leaders have underscored the need to improve the social and economic status of women. The resolve of our leaders to empower women is manifest in SAARC’s Social and Economic Agenda aimed at promoting their economic and financial emancipation.”

In his Address, the Secretary General referred to the SAARC Social Charter which he defined as “one of the major initiatives taken by SAARC.” The Charter incorporates a broad range of targets to be achieved across the region for empowering women. “Another such important initiative is the SAARC Gender Policy Advocacy Group (GPAG) that aims at promoting gender equality and empowering women,” he said.

 

“As we are aware, women who are working in the informal sector are the ones who are facing hardships and challenges, while their contribution is not recognized formally. Against this backdrop, the establishment of SABAH is a positive step in creating opportunities for home-based women workers in the region,” the Secretary General asserted.

 

SABAH is the first pilot project funded by the SAARC Development Fund under its Social Window. The project that lasted for six years from 2009 to 2015 was intended to empower home-based workers through economic self-sufficiency by harnessing their indigenous skills for producing market-oriented products.

 

The Secretary General further said, “It is very heartening to note that SABAH today has been able to establish itself as an important entity in South Asia. In essence, SABAH is contributing to the promotion of the spirit of SAARC at the grassroots level in South Asia.”

 

In concluding his remarks, the Secretary General stated, “SABAH has actually developed a model for poverty alleviation. It is in this context that I wish to encourage development partners to collaborate with SABAH in reaching the unreached with a view to alleviating rural poverty at a faster pace.”

Kathmandu, 31 October 2018

---

H. E. Mr. Amjad Hussain B. Sial, Secretary General of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), addressed the Inaugural Session of the International Conference on Doubling the Income of Farmers of SAARC Countries in Kathmandu today.

 

Co-organized by Nepal Agricultural Extension Association, Nepal Agriculture Information and Training Centre and International Society of Extension Education, the four-day Conference brought together representatives from the Member States of SAARC to exchange views on agricultural extension strategies and approaches. In addition, a large number of professionals and experts from several regional and international organizations are attending the Conference.

 

Addressing the International Conference, the Secretary General said, “Although our region is endowed with abundant human and natural resources and agriculture continues to be the mainstay of the South Asian economies, the agricultural sector encounters massive challenges, which include increasing population, shrinking arable lands and farm sizes, rapid urbanization, impact of climate change, natural disasters, post-harvest losses, animal diseases, etc.”

 

The Secretary General said that much of the agricultural production in the region is undertaken by smallholders. In the context of diminishing farm sizes and other existing challenges, appropriate approaches and strategies for sustainable agriculture can play an instrumental role in enhancing the income of farmers as well as in achieving food security, improving nutrition, developing value chain and eventually contributing to poverty alleviation and ending hunger.

 

Since the inception of SAARC in 1985, the leaders have underscored the importance of agriculture in the context of overall developmental goals of the region. He further stated, “Food and nutrition security and agriculture constitute a key component of cooperation under the framework of SAARC. The “SAARC Agriculture Vision 2020” shows the way forward for enhanced regional engagement in the field of agriculture and related sectors.”

 

The conference was informed that regional projects on “Consortium for Scaling-up Climate Smart Agriculture in South Asia” and on "Livelihood enhancement of small farmers in SAARC region through small agro-business focusing on value chain development" have been recently developed, while projects on Zero Energy Cold Storage, Post-Harvest Management and Value Addition of Fruits are being implemented.

 

The SAARC Agriculture Centre, which is a centre of excellence, has been doing a commendable job in research and development in the field of agriculture. Some of the need-based programmes recently undertaken by the Centre include Conservation Agriculture, Climate-smart agricultural policies and strategies, and risk management for small farmers.

 

Kathmandu, 20 September 2018

---

“By economically empowering women, not only we promote gender equality but also socio-economic development. Once women are empowered, both the society and economy will transform,” said H. E. Mr. Amjad Hussain B. Sial, Secretary General of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), addressing the Valedictory Session of the International Women Entrepreneurs’ Summit-2018 in Kathmandu this morning as the Chief Guest.

 

Organized by the South Asian Women Development Forum, a Recognized Body of SAARC, the Summit brought together women entrepreneurs from 27 countries, and business leaders, experts, and representatives from both the governmental and non-governmental entities.

 

The three-day Summit, which commenced on 03 September 2018, carried the theme, Equality Begins with Economic Empowerment.

 

In his Valedictory Address, the Secretary General further said, “We are living in an era when the environment has been socially, culturally, legally and politically supportive of women’s empowerment. As a result, there is a growing realization among the women across the globe of their legitimate rights. Young girls are increasingly exercising their right to education. Single mothers and widows are gradually engaging themselves in home-based income-generating activities to become financially independent.”

 

He highlighted the regional instruments adopted by SAARC in empowering women and promoting gender equality, with particular reference to the SAARC Social Charter, and Regional Convention on Combatting the Crime of Trafficking Women and Children for Prostitution. He also referred to the regional mechanisms working in the field of women, namely, the Ministerial Meeting on Women, Technical Committee of Women, Youth and Children.

 

He added, “In essence, our focus has been on promoting women’s education; protecting their rights; ensuring that they are free from all sorts of discrimination, both at home and in society; promoting their active participation in socio-economic development; and above all, empowering them economically.”

Kathmandu, 05 September 2018

---

On behalf of officials of the SAARC Secretariat and on his own behalf, H. E. Mr. Amjad Hussain B. Sial, Secretary General of SAARC, today sent a message of felicitation to H. E. Dr. Arif Alvi on his election as the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

 

In a letter addressed to the President, the Secretary General said, “Your Excellency’s election to the lofty position is amply demonstrative of the trust and confidence reposed in your able statesmanship.”

 

The Secretary General also acknowledged the constructive role of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in promoting regional cooperation under the auspices of SAARC since its inception in 1985. Further acknowledging the support extended by the Government of Pakistan to SAARC and the SAARC Secretariat, he expressed the hope that the Nineteenth SAARC Summit to be hosted by Pakistan will accelerate the momentum of the SAARC process in promoting the welfare of the peoples of South Asia, which, he added, is one of the Charter objectives of SAARC.

 

The Secretary General also wished H. E. the President great success in the sublime position.

 

Kathmandu, 05 September 2018

---