South Asia’s progress presented at regional commission meeting at Bangkok

Representatives of four Asian sub-regions assembled to present their progress and discuss the region’s future course of action in Bangkok on October 28 and 29, 2025. Representatives from East Asia, Central Asia, South Asia, and South East Asia came together not just to review numbers or plans, but to reimagine what solidarity and service can look like in the next chapter of Caritas Asia’s journey.

The Regional Commission, which meets three times a year, plays a vital role in shaping how Caritas Asia grows and responds to the needs of vulnerable communities. It reviews progress, approves budgets, and creates a shared space for dialogue and discernment. More than a formal meeting, it has become a space of collaboration and renewal, where experiences are exchanged, challenges unpacked, and new directions forged together.

This gathering carried particular weight as members finalised the Caritas Asia 2026–2030 Regional Strategic Framework and its operational plan. Conversations focused on how to deepen regional coordination, strengthen institutional capacity, and enhance accompaniment to ensure that every member organisation continues to serve with impact and compassion.

Representing South Asia, Fr Jesudass R, Executive Director of Caritas India, shared two important presentations. The first on the Parish Caritas Working Group captured how local parishes can become living centers of faith and service, places where social action and spiritual life walk hand in hand. The working group, which includes members from nine countries, is creating pathways for training, shared learning, and community-based charity rooted in Catholic Social Teaching.

Fr. Jesudass also highlighted the South Asia sub-regional achievements, reflecting the joint efforts of Caritas Bangladesh, Caritas India, Caritas Nepal, Caritas Sri Lanka, and Caritas Pakistan. His presentation highlighted the collaborative action in the field of disaster recovery in Nepal, climate resilience in Bangladesh, peacebuilding in Sri Lanka, community preparedness in Pakistan, and rehabilitation work in India’s conflict-affected areas. Each story demonstrated the transformative impact of unity, trust, and shared mission.

Across the sub-region, the climate adaptive and livelihood initiatives continue to strengthen food security, empower women, and build resilient communities. Safeguarding, gender inclusion, and interfaith dialogue have become core parts of South Asia’s Caritas programming, setting a benchmark for regional collaboration.

The meeting was attended by Dr Benedict Alo D’Rozario, Regional President of Caritas Asia; Fr Jesudass R, Executive Director of Caritas India; Fr Takashi Seto, Director of Caritas Japan; Fr Guido Trezzani, Director of Caritas Kazakhstan; Mr Kim Rattana, Director of Caritas Cambodia; Ms Jing Rey Henderson, Head of Communications and Partnership Development, Caritas Philippines; and Ms M. Shimray, Regional Coordinator, Caritas Asia.

As the two-day session drew to a close, the Caritas Asia Regional Commission reaffirmed a shared vision to build a more connected, compassionate, and capable network across Asia. The discussions in Bangkok were not just about strategy; they were about faith in action, learning from one another, and staying true to a single promise to transform vulnerability into hope.