Leaders of the SAARC Journalist Forum (SJF) held a meeting with SM Mahbubul Alam, director general of the SAARC & BIMSTEC Wing of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Tuesday to discuss strategies for rejuvenating the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
The meeting, held at the Director General’s office, focused on enhancing co-operation among member states and revitalising the regional grouping to effectively address shared challenges.
The delegation was led by Nasir Al Mamoon, President of the SJF Bangladesh Chapter, and General Secretary Shiabur Rahman (Shihab).
Other members included SJF Central Secretary General Abdur Rahman, Vice-Presidents Asif Hasan Nabi and Md Shariful Islam, Treasurer Reza Mahmud, and Adviser Mustaq Ahmed Mubaraqui.
During the discussions, both parties highlighted that despite political complexities, SAARC remains a vital platform for promoting regional peace, economic integration, cultural exchange, and people-to-people connectivity.
The SJF leaders emphasised the importance of depoliticising regional co-operation mechanisms and strengthening functional collaboration in sectors such as trade, climate change adaptation, public health, education, and media co-operation.
They also stressed the role of journalists in countering misinformation and building public support for regional initiatives.
Director General SM Mahbubul Alam appreciated the SJF’s role in keeping the spirit of regional co-operation alive. He reiterated Bangladesh’s continued commitment to SAARC, noting that engagement from civil society and media forums complements formal diplomatic efforts.
The meeting also explored the potential of media-led initiatives in fostering dialogue among SAARC nations.
Also present at the meeting were AHM Masum Billah, Director of the Ministry’s Public Diplomacy Wing, and Md Noor-E-Shahan Raz, Assistant Secretary of the SAARC & BIMSTEC Wing.
Members of the SJF Bangladesh Chapter also shared their experiences from the recent International Conference on International Mother Language & International Award–2026, held in Nalanda, India, on 4-5 January.
They underscored the importance of cultural and linguistic co-operation in strengthening regional bonds and mutual respect within South Asia.
