The Eighteenth Governing Board Meeting of the SAARC Energy Centre (SEC) marked a significant shift in leadership as Bhutan assumed the chair from Bangladesh, during the hybrid meeting, in Islamabad, Pakistan.
This leadership transition comes at a crucial time for the SEC, which aims to bolster its strategic initiatives in the region. Sonam Tshering, Principal Engineer at the Department of Energy under Bhutan”s Ministry of Natural Resources, took over the leadership role, emphasizing the need for Member States” cooperation to fulfill the Centre”s mandate effectively. He made a call for collaboration among the members to navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Mr. Waseem Shahzad, representing the SAARC Secretariat, accentuated the critical role of the Governing Board in empowering the SEC. He highlighted the necessity of the Members” collective wisdom to guide the Centre towards achieving its mission.
Director of the SEC, Mr. Abdul Rasheed Jokhio, unveiled the budget for 2026 and provided insights into the Centre”s activities in 2025. He also addressed the key challenges faced and sought the Board”s approval for the proposed program activities for the upcoming year.
The meeting extensively reviewed the Centre”s past year”s activities and evaluated the proposed calendar for 2026. The audited accounts and proposed budget for the fiscal year 2026 were also scrutinized.
Comprehensive recommendations were formulated by the Governing Board concerning the Centre’s operational and strategic matters. These suggestions are set to be presented at the forthcoming Programming Committee Meeting, aiming to enhance the Centre”s effectiveness in implementing its programs over the next year.