The SAARC Agriculture Centre (SAC) of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) organized a momentous occasion joyfully to mark the 39th SAARC Chartered Day at the esteemed BARC complex in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on December 10, 2023. This celebration brought together High Commissioners and Ambassadors from SAARC Member States, high-ranking government officials, senior scientists, development partners, experts, media representatives, and other stakeholders in a collective reflection on the journey of regional cooperation in agriculture and allied discipline. Honorable guests ceremoniously hosted Member States’ flags and released doves, symbolizing a collective commitment to peace and cooperation.

Ms. Wahida Akter, Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of Bangladesh graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. HE Ambassador Abdul Motaleb Sarker, Director General (SAARC and BIMSTEC), Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh joined as the Special Guest. Dr. Sheikh Mohammad Bakhtiar, Executive Chairman of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC), chaired the event with distinction, embodying the commitment to regional collaboration.

The Director of SAC, Dr. Md. Baktear Hossain, opened the festivities with a warm welcome, paving the way for a profound experience. Dr. Ganga Dutta Acharya, Senior Program Specialist of SAC, delivered a compelling keynote speech on “Agri-food Systems Transformation for Better Nutrition: Pathways for South Asia in Bangladesh.” This discourse shed light on SAC’s continuous efforts to address challenges in agriculture, livestock, and fisheries, emphasizing sustainability, food security, and consumer well-being.

Chief Guest, Mrs. Wahida Akter in her speech, emphasized the pivotal role of agriculture in the region, supporting over 50% of livelihoods and employment, contributing 18.2% to the GDP. Acknowledging challenges such as climate change and shrinking land, she stressed the importance of knowledge management for climate-smart agriculture.

Special Guest, Dr. Abdul Motaleb Sarker, Ambassador of SAARC and BIMSTEC, expressed deep gratitude for Bangladesh’s role in SAARC’s establishment. He assured unwavering support from the Government of Bangladesh, underlining the importance of SAC in fostering regional success.

In the concluding speech, Dr. Sheikh Mohammad Bakhtiar highlighted SAC’s programs, including the PhD program, and expressed gratitude for the appreciation from Member States. He emphasized the significance of recent events, such as the C-SUCSeS Policy Roundtable, and stressed the need for the future continuation of C-SUCSeS as the premier regional forum on Climate Smart Agriculture.

In a momentous celebration of regional collaboration and sustainable agriculture, the book “Building Climate Resilience in South Asia: A Synthesis of Climate-Smart Agriculture Technologies and Practices” was officially launched on the grand SAARC

The Member States of the SAARC signed the charter on December 8, 1985, during the inaugural Summit meeting in Dhaka. This visionary document set the stage for collaborative endeavors to ensure livelihoods, food security, and nutritional well-being in South Asia.