Saarc Can Reunite Members to Address COVID Challenges

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has said Saarc has huge the prospect to reunite the member states to collectively address the challenges emanating from the Covid-19 pandemic during this unprecedented time of the global situation.

"We must leverage available trade and investment, public health and security mechanisms and tools of Saarc to reap multifaceted benefits from this forum," he said.

Dr Momen said Bangladesh remains strongly committed to working closely with all the friendly countries of Saarc maintaining the congenial atmosphere of friendship and cooperation.

The Foreign Minister mentioned this in his message on Saarc Charter Day 2020.

Dr Momen reiterated his sincere wishes for the continued peace, progress and prosperity of the peoples of the Saarc member states.

On the occasion of the 36th Saarc Charter Day 2020, the Foreign Minister conveyed his heartiest felicitations to the governments and the peoples of the Saarc countries.

He also extended his greetings to the Saarc Secretary General and members of the Saarc Secretariat and Saarc Specialized Bodies, Saarc Regional Centers and other entities affiliated with Saarc on this special occasion.

As a founding member of the Saarc movement, Bangladesh recognises Saarc’s immense potential, prospects and opportunities for the sustainable socioeconomic development of South Asian region, Dr Momen said.

"Born in Bangladesh as a legacy of the vision of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for regional cooperation, Saarc has emerged as a full-bloomed regional organisation having the considerable number of effective Specialized Bodies, Regional Centers, Apex and Recognised Bodies," he said.

Dr Momen said, "As we celebrate this year the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation and the Architect of Bangladesh's Independence, we further reaffirm our strong commitment to strengthening the Saarc Forum as a common platform in South Asia for meaningful regional cooperation."

He said they expect Saarc to deliver wider benefits for the peoples of South Asian region by overcoming the challenges it is faced with.