SAARC, Japan Sign Memorandum on SAARC–Japan Special Fund

Kathmandu, March 11 — The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Secretariat and the Government of Japan have signed an addendum to the renewed memorandum outlining guidelines for the SAARC–Japan Special Fund to implement the JENESYS 2025 Phase II programme.

The memorandum was signed on Monday at the SAARC Secretariat in Kathmandu by SAARC Secretary-General Md Golam Sarwar and Japan’s Ambassador to Nepal, Maeda Toru.

According to a press release issued by the SAARC Secretariat, the Japanese government has pledged 13 million Japanese yen to support the implementation of the programme under the SAARC–Japan Special Fund.

The JENESYS Programme aims to enhance people-to-people exchanges and deepen mutual understanding between Japan and SAARC member states.

As part of the JENESYS 2025 Phase II programme, around 20 participants from SAARC countries are expected to visit Japan, where they will gain exposure to the country’s development experience, culture, society, and technological progress.

The initiative is expected to further strengthen cooperation and friendly relations between Japan and the SAARC region, the statement said.