MT Desk: Leaders of the SAARC Journalist Forum (SJF) held a meeting with S.M. Mahbubul Alam, Director General of the SAARC & BIMSTEC Wing of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Tuesday at the latter’s office to discuss ways to rejuvenate the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and enhance cooperation among member states.

The SJF delegation was led by Nasir Al Mamoon, President of the Bangladesh Chapter of SAARC Journalist Forum & General Secretary Shiabur Rahman (Shihab). Other members of the delegation included Abdur Rahman, Central Secretary General of SJF, Bangladesh Chapter Vice-Presidents Asif Hasan Nabi and Md Shariful Islam,Treasurer Reza Mahmud,and Adviser Mustaq Ahmed Mubaraqui.

During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on the current state of SAARC and underscored the urgent need to revitalise the regional grouping to make it more effective in addressing shared challenges faced by South Asian countries.

The discussion 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 cooperation mechanisms and strengthening functional collaboration in areas such as trade, climate change adaptation, public health, education, media cooperation, and cultural preservation. They also stressed the role of journalists and media organisations in fostering mutual understanding, countering misinformation, and building public support for regional cooperation.

Director General S.M. Mahbubul Alam appreciated the constructive role played by professional bodies like the SAARC Journalist Forum in keeping the spirit of regional cooperation alive. He reiterated Bangladesh’s continued commitment to SAARC and noted that enhanced engagement among civil society, media, and professional forums could complement diplomatic efforts to rejuvenate the regional organisation.

The meeting also discussed the potential contribution of media-led initiatives in promoting dialogue among SAARC countries.

AHM Masum Billah, Director of the Ministry’s Public Diplomacy Wing, and Md. Noor-E-Shahan Raz, Assistant Secretary of the SAARC & BIMSTEC Wing, were also present at the meeting.

At the meeting, members of the Bangladesh Chapter of the SAARC Journalist Forum who had recently participated in the International Conference on International Mother Language & International Award–2026, held in Nalanda, India, on January 4–5, shared their experiences with the foreign ministry officials.

They highlighted the importance of cultural and linguistic cooperation in strengthening regional bonds and promoting mutual respect among South Asian nations.