KATHMANDU: The 18th South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit kicked off Wednesday as leaders of the eight members states got together here at the capital of Nepal to find ways to make the regional grouping more viable and effective.
The heads of states and governments arrived at the venue in alphabetical order and were warmly greeted by the Prime Minister of Nepal Sushil Koirala. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his spouse had a photograph with the host as they arrived. They were ushered into their seats.
All the eight leaders were invited to the conference table and the ceremony began with the playing of the nation anthem of Nepal.
The leaders posed again for the official photograph and Chairperson of the 17th SAARC summit, Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom President of Maldives, declared to open the 18th SAARC summit and invited Prime Minister of Nepal Sushil Koirala to take the chair.
A lamp was lighted on behalf of all heads of respective members by Prime Minister of Nepal. Later the session began with speeches by all the eight leaders. The theme of the Summit is "Deeper Regional Integration for Peace and Prosperity".
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