Meeting to finalize SAARC's inaugural Development Report has been held in Male'
During a meeting held in Malé with the support of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), officials finalized the "SAARC Development Report," a strategic framework aimed at eradicating regional poverty and achieving Sustainable Development Goals. Chaired by the Maldives, the discussions underscored the critical importance of collective action among member states to address climate change and overcome prevailing economic challenges.
The flags of SAARC member nations displayed along a street in Kathmandu on January 3, 2002. | getty images
The Inter-Governmental Expert Group on Poverty Alleviation has concluded its second meeting to finalize the inaugural "SAARC Development Report" (SDR), marking a historic first for the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. Held in Male’, Maldives, from July 6 to 7, 2026, the meeting was conducted under the theme "SDR 2025: Shaping the Future of SAARC Together."
The meeting was hosted by the Maldivian government with financial and technical assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The discussions were attended by senior officials from ministries responsible for development and poverty alleviation, as well as representatives from the foreign ministries of all SAARC member states.
Chaired by Ali Rasheed, Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises, the meeting underscored the vital importance of regional cooperation in overcoming shared challenges. In his opening remarks, Rasheed noted that while the Maldives has achieved significant developmental milestones as a Small Island Developing State (SIDS), it remains susceptible to unique vulnerabilities. He emphasized the urgent need for a robust and inclusive regional framework to address these issues collectively.
The primary objective of this meeting is to finalize the "SAARC Development Report," which evaluates regional efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goals and alleviate poverty. The report outlines a vision for building a more resilient SAARC by strengthening cooperation in key areas, including trade, connectivity, and climate resilience.
Speaking on behalf of the SAARC Secretary-General, Prathuma Upreti, Director of Information and Poverty Alleviation at the SAARC Secretariat, highlighted that this report serves as a vital roadmap for harmonizing policies and fostering collaboration among member states.
The meeting concluded following the official adoption of the report. The document is now scheduled to be presented at a high-level SAARC summit. This meeting took place at a time when SAARC’s initiatives have faced significant challenges due to recent regional political tensions.
