Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman has reinforced Bangladesh's steadfast dedication to reinvigorating the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation during a meeting with the organization's leadership.
The minister declared Bangladesh's willingness to undertake forward-looking measures aimed at strengthening and breathing new life into the regional body during discussions with SAARC Secretary General Md Golam Sarwar on Tuesday.
Dr Rahman emphasized Bangladesh's enduring adherence to core principles established in the SAARC Charter, including sovereign equality among member nations, territorial integrity, political independence, non-interference in domestic matters, and mutual advancement of citizens across participating countries.
The foreign minister highlighted Bangladesh's pioneering role in establishing regional collaboration frameworks in South Asia, noting that the late President Ziaur Rahman first proposed the concept during the early 1980s with objectives centered on improving citizen welfare, enhancing quality of life, and building collective self-sufficiency throughout the region.
As a founding member nation and venue for the inaugural SAARC Summit in December 1985, Bangladesh has hosted the gathering on three occasions, including subsequent summits in 1993 and 2005.
Dr Rahman acknowledged SAARC's significant contributions in cultivating shared regional values and advancing cooperation across critical sectors including trade relations, investment facilitation, infrastructure connectivity, climate change response, food security, cultural exchange, and interpersonal contacts among populations.
The minister's remarks signal Bangladesh's intent to assume a more active posture in revitalizing the regional organization, which has faced operational challenges in recent years limiting its effectiveness in promoting South Asian integration and development.
The commitment comes as member states seek mechanisms to address common challenges and capitalize on opportunities for enhanced regional cooperation in an increasingly interconnected global environment.
