South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)

FAISALABAD September 9, 2025: Knowledge sharing and collaboration especially relating to climate-smart agriculture and food security among the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries will help combat agricultural challenges and to ensure food for growing population. It was stated by University of Agriculture Faisalabad Vice Chancellor UAF, Prof. Dr. Zulfiqar Ali, while inaugurating SAARC Agriculture Centre (SAC) Book Corner established at Main Library. On this occasion, Deans, Directors, and Principals of UAF were also present. Later, SAARC Representatives from Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan also joined the ceremony virtually. In his welcome remarks, Dr Zulfiqar Ali said that “SAC Book Corner” will be a source of research, collaboration and innovation in climate-smart agriculture for member countries of the SAARC. He appreciated the SAARC Agriculture Centre (SAC) Bangladesh for donating a valuable collection of books for “SAC Book Corner” at UAF. He said that this initiative will strengthen academic diplomacy, celebrate international collaboration, and foster regional partnerships. Tanveer Ahmad Torophder, Director (ARD&SDF) in his virtual address from SAARC Secretariat Kathmandu, Nepal said that such Book Corners are places for young minds to think, innovate and collaborate for solution to common challenges of climate changes in the region. He further said that libraries are gateways to research and beacons of learning. Dr Md. Harunur Rashid, Director, SAARC Agriculture Center (SAC) from Dhaka, Bangladesh said that knowledge sharing is a powerful source of connectivity among member countries of SAARC. He showed interest in gaining benefit from UAF experts in areas of agriculture, climate, and food. Muhammad Adeel Pervaiz, Director SAARC from Ministry of Foreign Affairs Islamabad, Pakistan mentioned that opening of “SAC Book Corner” at UAF is a symbolic occasion. He said that SAARC represents shared vision, collective wisdom, and collaborative solutions. SAC Book Corner is initiated with a collection of 250+ print books and 100+ digital resources on climate-smart agriculture and food security related to eight (8) member countries of the SAARC. SAC Bangladesh contributed a valuable collection of books for this Corner. It aims to promote reading culture, support academic research, and showcase a curated collection on agriculture in the region.