Saarc FMs for Joint Efforts to Overcome COVID-19 Impacts

On Thursday, the Saarc foreign ministers emphasised the need to work together to overcome the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic in the region.

They appreciated Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's initiative to convene the Covid-19 Saarc Leaders' video conference in March of this year, reports UNB.

In an informal meeting of the Saarc Council of Ministers, the Saarc Foreign Ministers also practically reviewed subsequent regional initiatives undertaken to combat the pandemic. 

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen joined it from Dhaka. 

The Informal Meeting was chaired by Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nepal, with the participation, according to the Saarc Secretariat, of the Ministers of Foreign / External Affairs of all the Member States of Saarc.

The Chair highlighted the importance of collective efforts to strengthen regional cooperation in order to address the emerging challenges of the global pandemic.

In this context, he stressed the need to reinvigorate the Saarc process in order to make it more focused and result-oriented in meeting the South Asian people's hopes and aspirations.

In their country statements, the Ministers of Foreign/External Affairs apprised the Council about the status of implementation of Saarc decisions as well as initiatives taken at the national level to fight the challenges posed by the pandemic. 

Esala Ruwan Weerakoon, Secretary General of Saarc, also addressed the informal meeting. 

The Secretary-General presented in his address a progress report on regional cooperation since the last informal meeting of the Council of Ministers of Saarc.

He pointed out, referring to the Saarc Charter, that Saarc has the potential to promote effective regional cooperation in all areas of development, including in order to address the challenges posed by the pandemic.

Dr S Jaishankar, Minister of Indian External Affairs (MEA), called on the member states of Saarc to collectively resolve to defeat the scourge of terrorism, including forces that nurture, promote and promote an atmosphere of terror and conflict.

He said these impede the objective of Saarc to realise its full potential for collective collaboration and prosperity across South Asia.

Dr Jaishankar reiterated India’s steadfast commitment to Saarc in building a connected, integrated, secure and prosperous South Asia, according to MEA. 

He highlighted a slew of measures taken by India in the follow-up to the Saarc leaders videoconference, including virtually convening health professionals and trade officials meetings, creating a ‘Covid-19 Information Exchange Platform (COINEX), foreign currency swap support and activation of Saarc Food Bank mechanism. 

Dr Jaishankar informed that under India’s contribution to Saarc Covid-19 Emergency Fund, supply of essential drugs, medical consumables, Covid protection and testing kits, and other equipment, amounting US$ 2.3 million, were made available to countries in the Saarc   region. 

He reiterated India’s continued commitment to assisting countries in the Saarc region in combating Covid-19 pandemic.