Secretary General of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), H.E. Mr. Md. Golam Sarwar, has emphasized the urgent need for integrated regional action to accelerate the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in South Asia.

Speaking at the plenary session of the World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS) 2025, held in New Delhi from March 5 to 7, Sarwar highlighted the region’s current setbacks in meeting SDG targets and called for a coordinated approach to address these challenges.

Sarwar underscored the critical importance of strengthening regional cooperation and adopting holistic strategies, given South Asia’s vulnerability to climate change and slow progress on several SDG indicators.

He urged member states to review and implement existing regional action plans on climate change, invest in low-carbon research and development, promote green technology, and integrate climate adaptation measures into national policies.

The Secretary General also praised the contributions of SAARC institutions, such as the SAARC Agriculture Center, SAARC Energy Center, South Asian University, and SAARC Disaster Management Center, in building capacity and raising awareness among member states.

He stressed that leveraging these existing mechanisms through concerted efforts is essential for South Asia to get back on track toward achieving the SDGs and ensuring a climate-resilient future.

The WSDS 2025, organized by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), serves as a key multi-stakeholder platform aimed at fostering partnerships for sustainable development and climate solutions.