President Abdulla Yameen has conveyed his full commitment to the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and said that differences in belief must not be hindrance to regional cooperation.

On occasion of the 2017 SAARC Charter Day, the President’s Office released a statement with an address from President Yameen, which stressed on the importance of unity in tackling regional threats like ‘climate change, terrorism, and natural disasters’.

“Let us not let our differences in belief and outlook hinder our efforts to achieving our common goals as a region. In the spirit and good will that culminated in the founding of the SAARC organization, we need to sustain progressive dialogue, respect and reciprocate” the president’s statement said.

The statement has President Yameen reiterating Maldives’ commitment to education, in line with SAARC’s Agenda 2030, and says he ‘firmly believes the region to streamline education towards eradicating poverty’.

“I wish to convey assurances of the full support and commitment of the Republic of Maldives to the members of SAARC, to further bolster the existing bonds between the Member States” the statement further said.

2017 marks thirty-three years since the SAARC charter signing.