H. E. Mr. Maithripala Sirisena, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, visited the SAARC Headquarters this morning.

 

H. E. the President was accompanied by his entourage and the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Nepal.

 

To commemorate his visit to the Secretariat, H. E. the President planted a tree in its premises and signed the Visitors’ Book.

 

In his remarks on the Visitors’ Book, H. E. the President stated, “Sri Lanka strongly supports regional cooperation and integration in order to promote the well-being of the peoples of South Asia; to accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural interaction in the region; and for promoting and strengthening collective voice of the countries of South Asia.”

 

After taking a tour of the Secretariat premises, H. E. the President, in his address, stated that as a founding member of SAARC, Sri Lanka remains committed to the SAARC process. He stated that the Member States should work in the spirt of brotherhood to achieve the objectives of SAARC.

 

H. E. the President thanked the Secretary General for his diligence and dedication for sustaining the momentum of the SAARC process. He appreciated the Secretary General for creating a conducive working environment in the Secretariat to enable the officials to work effectively. He also appreciated the good work and commitment of the Secretariat’s officials.

 

Earlier, delivering his welcome remarks, the Secretary General of SAARC said, “Your Excellency’s momentous visit is a testimony to the importance that you personally and the esteemed Government of Sri Lanka attach to the SAARC process.”

 

He further stated, “As a founding member of SAARC, Sri Lanka has been playing a very constructive role in its evolution since its inception in December 1985. As the host of three SAARC Summits and the three-time Chair of SAARC, Sri Lanka has contributed enormously in enriching the SAARC process.

 

Since its establishment in Kathmandu on 16 January 1987, several SAARC Heads of State and Government have visited the Secretariat.

 

H. E. the President’s current visit is the second one of a Head of State or Government to the SAARC Headquarters this year. In March, during his bilateral visit to Nepal, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan visited the SAARC Secretariat.

 

SAARC Secretariat, Kathmandu

02 September 2018

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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.

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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

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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

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