Kathmandu: SAARC Secretary General Ambassador Md. Golam Sarwar addressed the High-Level Donor and Partner Forum on Reimagining the Future of Children in Asia in Bangkok, calling for deeper regional collaboration to improve protection, resilience, and opportunities for children across the region.
The forum, organised by the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) and Save the Children, brought together governments, development partners, civil society, and the private sector to discuss strengthening systems that support children.
In his remarks, Ambassador Sarwar reaffirmed SAARC’s commitment to child welfare, citing the SAARC Social Charter and regional conventions on child protection and trafficking prevention as key frameworks. He noted that children in South Asia are increasingly affected by climate-related disasters, economic shocks, urbanisation, and migration pressures.
“To uphold the aspirations of Vision 2030, it is imperative that we collectively re-envision our systems, strengthen our partnerships, and reaffirm our shared responsibilities,” he said.
The Secretary General outlined four priority pillars for action: transformative partnerships, innovative financing, child-centred resilience, and innovation-driven impact. He also highlighted ongoing collaboration with ADPC, including this year’s South Asia Regional Dialogue on Climate Adaptation and Resilience, and said SAARC is working to renew its Memorandum of Understanding with the organisation.
Concluding his address, Ambassador Sarwar urged stakeholders to move forward with “imagination, compassion, and determination,” stressing the need to build a future where every child in Asia grows up with protection, opportunity, and hope.
