Kathmandu: The SAARC Development Fund (SDF) held its 41st Meeting of the Board of Directors on 20 November 2025 in a hybrid format, bringing together representatives from all Member States both in person in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and virtually on November 24.
The session was opened by the outgoing Chairperson of the Board, the Member from Bangladesh. During the meeting, the Board appointed the Member from Bhutan as the new Chairperson of the SDF Board, marking a transition in leadership for the regional development institution.
The Board expressed deep appreciation for the outgoing Chair’s leadership, particularly his efforts in strengthening SDF’s governance procedures and operational systems. The Officer-in-Charge of SDF also welcomed participating Directors and acknowledged the outgoing Chair’s contributions throughout his tenure.
The Meeting focused on a wide range of strategic issues concerning the Secretariat’s functions and SDF’s mandate to foster project collaboration across SAARC Member States. Board Directors provided policy directives and guidance aimed at enhancing the Secretariat’s performance and refining operational priorities for the coming year.
The Board also extended its gratitude to the Government of Sri Lanka for hosting the meeting and facilitating the hybrid arrangement that ensured full participation.
The SDF Board continues to play a central role in steering regional cooperation and development initiatives across South Asia, aligning its efforts with the broader goals of the SAARC framework.
