62nd SAARC Programming Committee Session Kicks Off in Kathmandu

Kathmandu, Feb 12: The 62nd Session of the Programming Committee of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) commenced on Wednesday in Kathmandu, the SAARC Secretariat confirmed.

The meeting, chaired by Nepal, brings together National Focal Points, delegates from all SAARC member states, and senior officials from the SAARC Secretariat. It is scheduled to conclude later today.

In his inaugural address, Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai highlighted the importance of Programming Committee sessions in keeping SAARC active and focused. He stressed that regional cooperation is not only “desirable” but also “essential,” as it bridges national initiatives with global processes and provides a platform for collective solutions to regional challenges.

Rai reaffirmed Nepal’s commitment to SAARC and suggested a gradual, step-by-step revival of pending meetings. He called for a pragmatic, flexible, and forward-looking approach to ensure that SAARC, along with its Regional Centres and Specialised Bodies, remains effective in addressing emerging challenges and delivering tangible benefits to the people of South Asia.

SAARC Secretary General Md. Golam Sarwar echoed the sentiment, calling for a more dynamic approach that translates the vision of regional cooperation into practical progress.