SAARC Cultural Centre (SCC) hosted its Fourteenth Governing Board (GB) Meeting on October 22 and 23 at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel, in Colombo

SAARC Cultural Centre (SCC) hosted its Fourteenth Governing Board (GB) Meeting on October 22 and 23 at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel, in Colombo. 

The meeting was convened under the Chairmanship of M. Mizanur Rahman, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, People’s Republic of Bangladesh. Governing Board Members of SAARC Member States participated both in person and virtually. The distinguished members who represented their esteemed Member States virtually at the Governing Board Meeting were: Nagtsho Dorji, (Director of the Department of Culture & Dzongkha Development, Ministry of Home Affairs, Royal Government of Bhutan), Yash Veer Singh, (Director of International Cultural Relations, Ministry of Culture, Republic of India), Mohamed Shahuruzziyad (Minister of
State for Divehi Language, Culture & Heritage, the Republic of Maldives), Dr. Suresh Suras Shrestha (Joint Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Tourism & Civil Aviation, Federal DemocraticRepublic of Nepal), and Hassan Nasir Jamy (Secretary, National Heritage & Culture Division, Islamic Republic of Pakistan). Ranjith Ariyaratne (Secretary of the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious & Cultural Affairs, Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka) attended in person representing Sri Lanka. Irosha Cooray (Director of Education, Security & Culture (ESC), SAARC Secretariat, Kathmandu, Nepal represented the SAARC Secretary General) and Renuka Ekanayake (Director of the SAARC Cultural Centre) attended as Member-Secretary. Niluka Kadurugamuwa (Director General (South Asia, SAARC & Public Diplomacy) also attended the meeting representing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sri Lanka.

Renuka Ekanayake (Director of the SAARC Cultural Centre) presented the Governing Board Report, detailing the successful activities undertaken in 2024 and outlining the proposed programmes for 2025. Following a thorough review, the Governing Board approved the proposed programmes and activities for 2025, with Member States expressing their full support.

SAARC Cultural Centre anticipates an exciting year ahead with an indicative programme under the theme of “Cultural Education: Awareness, Innovation and Adaptation”. Through the proposed programmes for 2025, SAARC Cultural Centre encourages cross cultural dialogue and plans to bring together artists, craftsmen, performers, scholars and intellectuals to discuss shared cultural heritage of South Asia.

SAARC Cultural Centre serves as a focal point for promoting cultural cooperation among the SAARC Member States. It undertakes various initiatives aimed at celebrating the region’s rich cultural diversity. Further information can be obtained by logging on to www.saarcculture.org