Bangladesh's Muhammad Yunus Advocates for SAARC Revival in Powerful UN General Assembly Address

Bangladesh interim government Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus addresses the UN General Assembly, Friday.

United Nations:

Bangladesh interim government Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus emphasized the importance of revitalizing the SAARC organization during his address to the UN General Assembly on Friday. He highlighted the necessity of regional cooperation founded on mutual respect, transparency, and collective prosperity.

Speaking at the General Debate of the 80th UN General Assembly session, Yunus stated that neighboring countries have no alternative but to pursue shared development through regional cooperation.

He noted that SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) had made significant progress in its initial years and established a robust framework for regional collaboration.

According to Bangladesh's state-run BSS news agency, Yunus mentioned that despite ongoing political challenges, the fundamental institutional structure of the grouping remains functional.

The South Asian regional organization includes India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The biennial summits have been suspended since the last gathering in Kathmandu in 2014.

"We believe SAARC still holds the potential to deliver welfare to the hundreds of millions in our region, just as ASEAN has done on its own," Yunus was quoted as saying.

He also highlighted that Bangladesh is enhancing regional connectivity and trade through various initiatives including the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation, the Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal initiative, the Asian Highway, and the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation.