Virtually organized Ninth Executive Committee Meeting of SAWEN concluded with some important decisions in regard to strengthen the institutionalization process of SAWEN. The Meeting was commenced in the presence of Focal Persons and representatives from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka along with the Secretariat team. The Chief Enforcement Coordinator of SAWEN Dr. Ram Chandra Kandel chaired the Meeting.

The Meeting discussed about recruitment of Secretary General (SG) and also formed a Recruitment Sub-Committee to initiate further the hiring process. The Seven member committee, headed by CEC of SAWEN, will finalize all the necessary procedures with reference to the methods envisioned in the SAWEN Statute.

Initiation of financial support from the Government of Bangladesh in SAWEN Endowment Fund was also updated. The Meeting agreed to organize regional level program by 2022 in wider participation of Focal Persons, representatives of donor/partner agencies, relevant organizations. Meeting also acknowledged the financial support received on program/project basis including INTERPOL/USAID, IWT Challenge Fund through ZSL Nepal Office/Himalayan Nature. The Focal Persons expected to enhance further collaboration with other organizations linking with the finalized SAWEN Strategic Plan (2022-2026).

In the Meeting, Dr. Kandel highlighted on importance of institutional development of SAWEN with regular team in the Secretariat headed by the Secretary General as anticipated since long. Dr. Kandel recalled the outcome of the recently organized programs from the Secretariat and requested the Focal Persons for more collaborative actions. Mr. Pradeep Bhattarai, Senior Environment Officer, briefed the activities carried out by the Secretariat, progress of the last EC Meeting decisions and way forward. 

The meeting was adjourned with brief closing remarks from the Focal Persons and the Chief Enforcement Coordinator.