SAARC member states should collectively address Covid-19 challenges: Foreign Minister

SAARC should reunite member states to collectively address the challenges of Covid-19 pandemic that is affecting global economies and public health in an unprecedented way.

"I firmly believe that during this unprecedented hour of global Covid-19 pandemic, platforms like SAARC have huge prospect to reunite the member states to address collectively the challenges emanating from Covid-19 pandemic," Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said in a message on the occasion of the 36th SAARC Charter Day on December 8.

"We must leverage available trade and investment, public health and security mechanisms and tools of SAARC to reap multifaceted benefits from this forum.

"We remain strongly committed to working closely with all friendly countries of SAARC maintaining congenial atmosphere of friendship and cooperation."

The SAARC founded in Dhaka on 8 December 1985 has remained almost inactive since its 19th summit in November 2016 was not held after India boycotted it in the aftermath of an attack by militants at an Indian Army camp in Uri.

Foreign Minister Momen conveyed heartiest felicitations to the governments and the people of the SAARC member states and all affiliated bodies of SAARC on the special occasion.

He said Dhaka expects SAARC to deliver wider benefits for the peoples of the region by overcoming the challenges it is faced with, while wishing continued peace, progress and prosperity of the people of the SAARC members.