KATHMANDU, AUGUST 14

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and the Embassy of Japan in Nepal have signed an addendum to the renewed memorandum on guidelines for the SAARC-Japan Special Fund, earmarked for the JENESYS 2025 youth exchange programme.

The Government of Japan will contribute JPY 21,288,000 to support the initiative, which promotes cultural, educational, and people-to-people exchanges between Japan and SAARC member states.

The agreement was signed in Kathmandu on Thursday by SAARC Secretary-General Md Golam Sarwar and Japan's Ambassador to Nepal MaedaToru. The addendum builds on the long-running JENESYS programme, which has been funded by Japan for years to strengthen regional ties through youth engagement.

Under JENESYS 2025, nearly 50 participants from SAARC countries are scheduled to visit Japan during FY2025, where they will gain exposure to the country's development model, economic progress, advanced technologies, traditional culture, and societal values.

Since its inception, the programme has played a significant role in fostering mutual understanding between Japanese and South Asian youth, equipping participants with experiences and knowledge that contribute to the region's growth and cooperation.