H. E. Mr. Amjad Hussain B. Sial, Secretary General of SAARC, delivered opening remarks during the Inaugural Session of the Eleventh SAARC Conference on Cooperation in Police Matters in Kathmandu today.

 

In his Address, the Secretary General lauded the initiative taken by Nepal in convening the Conference and expressed the hope that it will reinvigorate collaboration among the Police Authorities in the identified areas.

 

He said, “Law and order are crucial to the promotion of peace, security and stability in the region. These are essentially the prerequisites for social and economic development, and promotion and protection of human rights, contributing eventually to the welfare of our peoples, which is the cardinal objective of SAARC.” He further said, “SAARC represents the desire of our leaders to promote mutual trust, confidence and cooperation among the Member States. This is possible only when the region is safe and secure, on which depend the success and sustainability of every human endeavour.”

 

The full text of the Secretary General’s Address is attached.

 

The one-day Conference is attended by the Heads of Police Authorities or their representatives from the Member States. The Conference was preceded by the meetings of the SAARC Terrorist Offences Monitoring Desk (STOMD) and SAARC Drug Offences Monitoring Desk (SDOMD) yesterday, both of which are operational in Colombo.

 

Besides reviewing progress in the implementation of the past decisions, the Conference is expected to consider the concept papers on SAARCPOL and SAARC Institute of Criminology, and networking among the Police Authorities and combating corruption, among others.

Kathmandu, 11 April 2018

ENDS

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H. E. Mr. Amjad Hussain B. Sial,  Secretary General of SAARC, addressed the SAARC Agriculture Centre(SAC)- Donor Consultation Meeting on SAARC Regional Agricultural Projects  in Kathmandu on 05 April 2018, as the Chief Guest.

 

In his address at the Inaugural Session, the Secretary General appreciated the coming to gether of the development partners to support SAARC's endeavours  in promoting  project­ based collaboration in agriculture. He said, "This meeting assumes considerable significance in our bid to intensify project-based collaboration in agriculture." He further said, "On behalf of the SAARC Development Fund,  which is the umbrella funding mechanism of SAARC, I also wish to express  our willingness  to  join hands with our development partners in implementing agriculture-related projects in the region."

The full text of the Secretary General's Inaugural Address is attached.

The  two-day Consultation Meeting, which  is being organized jointly by the SAARC Agriculture Centre, Dhaka, and the International Food Policy Research  Institute (IFPRI), brings together representatives of the Member States of SAARC and development partners for consideration of agriculture-related projects in the region.

 

During the Meeting, the SAARC Agriculture Centre presented seven project proposals for consideration of the donor community.

 

The Centre, which is one of SAARC's Centres of Excellence, has  been operational in Dhaka, Bangladesh, since 1988. It facilitates research and development and project-based collaboration in agriculture in the region.

 

Kathmandu, 06 April 2018

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The Secretary General of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Mr. Amjad Hussian B. Sial, called on Rt. Hon. Vice President of Nepal, H.E Mr. Nanda Bahadur Pun, on 5 April 2018 and congratulated the Vice President on his unanimous re-election. He also added that this demonstrates the confidence the people of Nepal repose in his leadership. 

 

While thanking the Secretary General for his kind words, Vice President expressed confidence that with the long diplomatic experience of working as Director SAARC and serving in various Pakistan missions abroad, the Secretary General would add more dynamism to SAARC process during his tenure. The Vice President underlined the need for convening of the Nineteenth SAARC Summit in Pakistan as early as possible and assured that Nepal, as chair, has been putting in its efforts for creating a conducive environment through dialogue during bilateral meetings with the Member States. The Vice President emphasized the need to reinvigorate SAARC for the well-being of the peoples in the region.

 

The Secretary General of SAARC thanked the Government of Nepal for the leadership role as the chair and for the support given to the Secretariat and expressed hope that it will continue its support to the SAARC Headquarters. He underscored the importance of Summit in giving renewed impetus to the regional cooperation process. The Secretary General expressed his commitment to provide efficient and best possible services to the Member States and do his utmost in promoting the objectives of SAARC, which is the welfare of the people of the region. He also underscored the need for air, road and rail connectivity for regional and economic integration. 

 

SAARC Secretariat

Kathmandu

5 April 2018 

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H. E. Mr. Amjad Hussain B. Sial, Secretary General of SAARC, addressed the Inaugural Session of the Sixth SAARC Business Leaders' Conclave in Kathmandu on Friday, 16 March 2018. 

The Conclave was inaugurated by Rt. Hon. K. P. Sharma Oli, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal. 

In his address at the Inaugural Session, the Secretary General highlighted the importance of regional economic integration. He lauded the role being played by the SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), an Apex Body of SAARC, in promoting economic relations among the Member States.

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