Highlighting the growing collaboration between the United Nations (UN) and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), UN Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed a strong interest in enhancing cooperation with the regional bloc.
During a recent courtesy meeting held at the UN Headquarters in New York on April 8, Secretary-General Guterres and SAARC Secretary-General Golam Sarwar engaged in discussions aimed at bolstering cooperation between the two organizations. The meeting emphasized the UN’s commitment to fostering stronger relations with SAARC, which represents a substantial demographic segment of the global population.
Sources from the SAARC Secretariat revealed that Ambassador Sarwar commended the UN’s unwavering support for SAARC, an Observer Organization of the UN since 2004. The dignitaries focused on strengthening ties across various sectors of mutual interest, including climate change, food security, and renewable energy collaborations.
Ambassador Sarwar highlighted the importance of updating existing Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between SAARC and various UN agencies to align them better with contemporary contexts, thereby promoting deeper collaboration.
Proposing a joint meeting between the SAARC Secretariat and UN agencies in Kathmandu, Ambassador Sarwar aims to facilitate brainstorming sessions to identify future collaboration areas. Secretary-General Guterres welcomed this proposal, emphasizing the imperative for intensified cooperation between SAARC and the UN.
Taking proactive steps, Secretary-General Guterres instructed his office to establish connections between the SAARC Secretariat and relevant UN officials, ensuring effective sectoral cooperation. Additionally, Ambassador Sarwar explored capacity-building opportunities for SAARC officials, further enhancing the Secretariat’s effectiveness and sustainability.
