Established in Kathmandu on 16 January 1987, the SAARC Secretariat is responsible to coordinate and monitor the implementation of SAARC activities, service the meetings of the Association and serve as the channel of communication between SAARC and other international organizations.

The Secretariat comprises of the Secretary-General, a Director from each member state and the General Services Staff. The Secretary-General is appointed by the Council of Ministers upon nomination by a member state, on the principle of rotation in alphabetical order, for a period of two years. The List of Secretary Generals is as follows:

1. Mr. Abul Ahsan, from Bangladesh (16 January 1987 - 15 October 1989)
2. Mr. Kant Kishore Bhargava, from India (17 October 1989 - 31 December 1991)
3. Mr. Ibrahim Hussain Zaki, from the Maldives (1 January 1992 - 31 December 1993).
4. Mr. Yadab Kant Silwal, from Nepal, (1 January 1994-31 December 1995).
5. Mr. Naeemuddin Hasan, from Pakistan (1 January 1996-31 Dec 1998).
6. Mr. Nihal Rodrigo, from Sri Lanka (1 Jan 1999 - 10 Jan 2002)
7. Mr. Q.A.M.A. Rahim, from Bangladesh (11 Jan 2002 - 28 Feb 2005)
8. Mr. Chenkyab Dorji, from Bhutan (1 March 2005- )

Directors are appointed by the Secretary-General, upon nomination by member states for a period of three years which, in special circumstances, may be extended by the Secretary-General for a period not exceeding another full term, in consultation with the member state concerned.
Following are the Directors presently serving in the Secretariat:

1. Nepal : Rishi Ram Ghimire (1 December 2005 - )
2. India : Rajiv K. Chander (30 September 2002 - )
3. Maldives : Mohamed Naseer (1 August 2003 - )
4. Pakistan : Amjad H. B. Sial (17 September 2003 - )
5. Bangladesh : Md. Sufiur Rahman (7 September 2004 - )
6. Bhutan : Sonam Tshong (1 June 2005 - )
7. Sri Lanka : Y. K. A. Rohanajith (21 June 2005 - )