The Sixteenth Governing Board Meeting of the SAARC Energy Centre (SEC) was held on 07-08 December 2023 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The Meeting held in hybrid mode was attended by the Governing Board Members and Representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the host country, Pakistan, and the SAARC Secretariat.

 

As per the SAARC practice, the Governing Board Member from Bangladesh was designated as the Chairperson of SEC, on the principle of rotation in alphabetical order. The Meeting was apprised, by the Director, of the Calendar of Activities of the Centre, Reports of its Audited Accounts and Annual Budget.

 

The Meeting discussed the programme activities carried out by the Centre during the last three years and the proposed activities for the Calendar Year 2024. It also reviewed the Reports of the Centre’s audited accounts, prepared by the Joint Audit Team and proposed Budget for the Fiscal Year 2024. The Governing Board made its recommendations, not only about the Calendar of Activities and Budget of the Centre but other matters related to its functioning for consideration of Higher SAARC Bodies.

 

The Regional Centres, including the SAARC Energy Centre based in Islamabad, are important organs of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and are playing significant role in promoting cooperation in specialized fields.

 

 

 

SAARC Secretariat

Kathmandu, 08 December 2023

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The Twelfth Governing Board Meeting of the SAARC Arbitration Council (SARCO) was held on 04-05 December 2023 in Thimphu, Bhutan (hybrid mode) with participation from the Member States, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the host country, Pakistan, and the SAARC Secretariat.

 

The Director General of SARCO, as Member Secretary of the Board, made a presentation on the functioning of the Council, its programmes and activities as well as administrative and financial matters. The Meeting considered all matters related to Policy, Annual Budget and Calendar of Activities of the Council and made its own recommendations for consideration of Higher SAARC Bodies.

 

The Arbitration Council is one of the Specialized Bodies of SAARC with a mandate to provide a legal framework/forum within the region for fair and efficient settlement of commercial, industrial, trade, banking, investment, and such other disputes, as may be referred to it by the Member States and their people.

 

 

 

SAARC Secretariat

Kathmandu, 05 December 2023

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The SAARC Cultural Centre in Colombo, Sri Lanka convened its 13th Governing Board Meeting at the Galle Face Hotel, Colombo from 28^th to 29^th November 2023. In a pioneering move, the meeting embraced a hybrid format, hosting esteemed Governing Board Members physically from Bangladesh, Maldives, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, while Bhutan, India, and Nepal participated virtually,

The distinguished Governing Board Members were Mizanur Rahman, Joint Secretary (Administration) of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs of Bangladesh; Tshering Choki, Senior Programme Officer, Ministry of Home Affairs of Bhutan; Yash Veer Singh, Director, International Cultural Relations of the Ministry of Culture of India; Shamun Hameed, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Dhivehi Language, Culture and Heritage of Maldives; Dr. Suresh Suras Shrestha, Head of Division/Joint Secretary, Culture Division of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation of Nepal; Humaira Ahmed, Secretary, National Heritage and Culture Division of Pakistan; and Somarathne Vidanapathirana, Secretary, Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs of Sri Lanka.

The ex-officio members, T.P. Dharmasena, Director-General of SAARC Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka; Irosha Cooray, Director – Education, Security and Culture Division, SAARC Secretariat, Kathmandu, Nepal; and Renuka Ekanayake, Director of the SAARC Cultural Centre, Sri Lanka.

Ms. Ekanayake, the Director of the SAARC Cultural Centre presented to the Governing Board a Report on the Centre’s activities for 2023 and outlined the proposed programs for 2024.

The Governing Board commended the activities conducted by the SAARC Cultural Centre in the year 2023, which included collaborative ventures such as an Exhibition of Paintings with the Royal Asiatic Society, SAARC Talk Series, SAARC Special Lectures in partnership with entities like the Department of Archaeology, University of Kelaniya, and National Library and Documentation Services Board and the SAARC Film Day in collaboration with the National Film Corporation. 

The Board approved the proposed programmes and activities for the year 2024, with Member States pledging their full support.

"The SAARC Secretariat, together with the SAARC Cultural Centre, looks forward to an exciting 2024, marked by Food Festivals, Film Festivals, Musical Extravaganzas, Textile and Fashion events, Artists Camps, Research Seminars, and Workshops. The Secretariat anticipates a vibrant year of cultural rejuvenation across the SAARC Region, showcasing resilience and rebuilding post pandemic for further cementing SAARC fraternity.

 

SAARC Secretariat

Kathmandu, 07 December 2023

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E. Mr. Golam Sarwar, Secretary General of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and spouse, Madam Taslima Sarwar, visited Maldives from 16-20 November 2023, for the Presidential Inauguration of H.E Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, President of the Republic of Maldives, held on 17 November 2023.

During his visit Secretary-General called on President Dr Muizzu and expressed gratitude for extending an invitation for the Presidential Inauguration ceremony. Secretary-General congratulated the President on assuming office and praised the President on his powerful and inspiring inaugural address. They discussed the importance of collaboration and engagement between the SAARC member states. President Dr. Muizzu assured Maldives support in strengthening relation between the SAARC member states.

Additionally, Secretary-General also met with former Secretary-General of SAARC, H.E Mr. Ahmed Saleem, Ambassador-at-Large at Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Maldives. They discussed the ongoing work of SAARC Secretariat and collaboration between member states.

Secretary-General was accompanied by Ms. Shahiya Ali Manik, Director, Social Affairs of the SAARC Secretariat, during his visit to Maldives. 

 

24 November 2023,

Kathmandu, Nepal

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