President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has reaffirmed the Maldives’ commitment to strengthening the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) during a farewell meeting with outgoing Secretary-General Md. Golam Sarwar.

Secretary-General Sarwar paid a farewell call on President Dr. Muizzu at the President’s Office on Monday. 

The President thanked the Secretary-General for his service and support during his tenure and highlighted SAARC’s continuing importance in regional and international affairs.

President Dr. Muizzu also commended Secretary-General Sarwar’s leadership and reiterated the Maldivian government’s commitment to supporting efforts to strengthen the regional organization.

During the meeting, Secretary-General Sarwar expressed appreciation for the Maldives’ continued cooperation with SAARC and emphasized the country’s significance as one of the organization’s founding members.

The two officials reviewed key SAARC initiatives and discussed opportunities to advance regional integration, cooperation and collective development among member states.

President Dr. Muizzu also conveyed his appreciation for Secretary-General Sarwar’s efforts toward revitalizing the organization and wished him success in his future endeavors.

The Maldives is among SAARC’s founding members. 

The regional organization was formally established on December 8, 1985, when its charter was signed in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

The meeting comes as member states continue efforts to strengthen regional cooperation and address shared economic, social and development priorities through multilateral engagement.