SAARC Reaffirms Commitment to Inclusive South Asia at Summit

Ambassador Md. Golam Sarwar, the Secretary General of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), reaffirmed the region's collective vision of a South Asia where every child thrives, every woman is respected, and every individual has the opportunity to live with dignity and equality.

He shared these remarks during a high-level roundtable at the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha, Qatar, from November 4 to 6. The summit has brought together over 8,000 participants, including Heads of State, UN representatives, civil society leaders, academics, and youth delegates.

Sarwar highlighted SAARC's ongoing efforts to promote social progress and regional cooperation. He stressed that the organization’s Plan of Action on the 2030 Agenda aligns with the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ensuring regional priorities are synchronized with international frameworks.

He also spoke about the contributions of SAARC's specialized centers and working groups in areas like data sharing, policy dialogue, and capacity building across the eight Member States. Additionally, he emphasized the vital collaboration between SAARC and major UN agencies such as UNDP, FAO, WHO, UNFPA, and UNICEF, aiming to strengthen evidence-based policymaking and regional mechanisms for inclusive development.

"The people of South Asia—one-fourth of humanity—are united in this vision," said Sarwar. "Through SAARC, we renew our commitment to creating a region where every child is nourished, every adolescent empowered, every woman is respected, and every individual has equal opportunity."

During the summit, the Secretary General is also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with UNICEF and Plan International Asia Pacific to explore deeper collaboration on child and youth development initiatives.