Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali informed Bangladesh journalists at around 6.30pm that they would reconvene after the official dinner, which is a first in SAARC foreign ministers-level meetings. He mentioned that efforts were being made to sign an energy cooperation deal, while ruling out the signing of two other deals related to road and railway connectivity due to a country, believed to be Pakistan, not agreeing. Despite the signing not guaranteeing implementation, it would symbolize a common goal of connectivity in the summit themed on ‘Deeper Integration for Peace and Prosperity’. The meeting also discussed various regional projects like trade, economy, communications, energy, poverty reduction, climate change, combating terrorism, education and culture, and regional cooperation, stressing on timely implementation. Bangladesh emphasized the importance of regional projects being effective and approved standing committee proposals. Additionally, they launched research papers, action frameworks, and publications focusing on poverty alleviation, sanitation, nutrition, and the South Asian Economic Union. The ministers instructed the SAARC Secretariat to organize the summit at a specific time and requested member states to submit lists for sensitive list reduction under SAFTA. Bangladesh also requested investments in tourism and highlighted the need for innovative projects on energy and communications. The ministers agreed on various initiatives such as publishing a development report biennially, making the SAARC food bank operational, and emphasizing the importance of the South Asian University. The meeting also recognized the South Asian Women Development Forum as a SAARC body and decided to continue the moratorium on new SAARC observers.