SAC Marks 41st SAARC Charter Day with Focus on Climate Resilience

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Publish : 08 Dec 2025, 06:49 PM

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The SAARC Agriculture Centre (SAC) on Monday, observed the 41st anniversary of SAARC Charter Day. The Charter was originally adopted during the first SAARC Summit in 1985.

To commemorate the occasion, SAC organized a "colourful programme" at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) complex. According to a press release, the event placed special emphasis on regional cooperation for a resilient agricultural future in South Asia.

A highlight of this year's celebration was a keynote address delivered on the theme: 'Regional Cooperation for Climate-Smart Livestock Food System in South Asia in the context of One Health.'

SM Mahbubul Alam, Director General (SAARC & BIMSTEC), Ministry of Foreign Affairs graced the event as the chief guest.

The chief guest said that SAARC has served as an important platform for strengthening mutual cooperation among South Asian nations for long time. Highlighting the regional climate vulnerabilities, he noted that rising temperatures, erratic rainfall and climate-induced disasters continue to pose serious threats to agricultural systems across South Asia.

The keynote speech was delivered by Dr. Muhammad Iqbul Anjum, Director (Animal Production), Animal Sciences Division of Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC).

He emphasized the need for shared research, data harmonization and cross-border collaboration to build climate-smart livestock systems capable of withstanding increasing environmental stresses.

The programme was chaired by Dr. Md. Abdus Salam, Executive Chairman of BARC, who stressed the importance of regional solidarity and scientific cooperation in achieving sustainable agricultural growth.

Prior to the keynote speech, SAC Director Dr. Md. Harunur Rashid delivered his welcome remarks and presented an overview of the centre’s activities along with its future priorities.

The event was attended by representatives of the High Commissions and Embassies of SAARC countries, senior government officials, heads of institutions, scientists and representatives from development partners and NGOs.

Two new SAC publications titled ‘Sustainable Family Farming in the Livestock Sector for Attaining UNDFF and the SDGs in South Asia’ and ‘Productivity Enhancement of Oilseed Crops in SAARC Member States’ were also unveiled during the programme.

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