Seminar on Rebuilding Trust, Renewing Regional Integration

The Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) organised a seminar on “Rebuilding Trust, Renewing Regional Integration: Pathways for Revitalising SAARC” on Monday, 06 July 2026 at the BIISS Auditorium, Dhaka. H.E. Shama Obaed Islam, MP, Honourable State Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, attended the seminar as the Chief Guest. Major General A S M Ridwanur Rahman, awc, afwc, psc, G, Director General, BIISS, delivered the welcome address and chaired the seminar.

The keynote presentation was delivered by Ambassador Tariq A. Karim, Advisor, Centre for Bay of Bengal Studies, Independent University, Bangladesh, and Distinguished Visiting Research Fellow, Institute of South Asia Studies, National University of Singapore. The seminar also featured a panel discussion comprising Professor Dr. Niloy Ranjan Biswas, Department of International Relations, University of Dhaka, and Md. Shamsul Haque, Former Additional Foreign Secretary (SAARC & BIMSTEC), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, and Chief Executive Officer, Coders Trust Bangladesh.

An interactive open discussion followed the keynote presentation and panel discussion. Participants exchanged views on the structural limitations that have constrained SAARC’s effectiveness, the impact of regional geopolitical dynamics, and opportunities for advancing functional cooperation despite existing political differences.

In her address, the Chief Guest, H E Shama Obaed Islam, MP, reaffirmed Bangladesh’s longstanding commitment to regional cooperation and highlighted the importance of revitalising SAARC as a platform for promoting peace, stability, economic prosperity, and sustainable development in South Asia. She emphasised that renewed regional dialogue and strengthened institutional cooperation are indispensable for addressing shared challenges and unlocking the region’s vast economic and strategic potential.

Senior officials from different ministries and government agencies, ambassadors, high commissioners, former diplomats, senior civil and military officials, representatives from regional and international organisations, members of academia, researchers, university faculty members and students, media representatives, and policy practitioners participated in the seminar.