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The South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Program convened a Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) on 29-30 September 2026, in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Mr. Sanjaya Mudalige, deputy secretary to the Treasury, Government of Sri Lanka, chaired the meeting. Ms. Sona Shrestha, director general, South Asia Department (SARD), ADB, served as co-chair. Mr. Joonho Hwang, director (Energy) and Incoming Regional Head, RCI, SARD, ADB, moderated the meeting alongside Nilaya Mitash, Principal Regional Cooperation Specialist, ADB, as co-moderator. Mr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the Treasury and ADB alternative governor led discussions on food security, multi-country tourism circuits, trade corridors, digital connectivity, and regional value chains.

The meeting reported the progress of the SASEC working groups on transport, trade facilitation, and energy. The meeting also reported on the SASEC Economic Corridor Development (ECD) Forum, discussed the SASEC Strategy 2035 on Economic Corridor Operational Priority, shared ADB’s experience in implementing economic corridor development in Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka, and tackled prospects for economic corridor development and regional cooperation in the SASEC subregion.

Presentations were delivered on Digital Payment Ecosystems in SASEC partner countries as well as the Pan-Asia Power Grid and the Asia-Pacific Digital Highway supported by ADB. The meeting also reviewed and endorsed the Action Plan for SASEC Initiatives (APSI) 2026-2028 and discussed updating it for 2027-2029. The action plan, which aims to advance regional trade, investment, economic growth, and resilience, covers around $120 billion in priority projects and knowledge initiatives.

The SOM was attended by senior officials from SASEC countries, together with representatives from relevant ministries, including the Ministry of Finance, and Ministry of External or Foreign Affairs, as well as heads of delegations from Transport, Trade Facilitation, and Energy Working Groups, and ADB. Development partner representatives also attended the meeting. SASEC countries comprise Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.